The 10 Most Dangerous Intersections In Worcester
Each year, roughly 2.35 million Americans are hurt or disabled in road accidents. Road crashes cost the country $230.6 billion per year or which translates to an average of $820 per person. Unfortunately, Worcester is no exception to the nationwide crash epidemic. The heart of the commonwealth has lost more than a few hearts to the unforgiving roads of Worcester, and accident trends are only getting worse.
All together, there were a total of 5,759 accident in 2016, which resulted in 11,130 damaged vehicles, 1,727 injuries, and 9 deaths. The numbers were a sharp increase from the 5,380 accidents that took place in 2015 (resulting in 10,359 damaged vehicles, 1,693 injuries, and 7 deaths). While an accident can occur anywhere at any given time, there are always a handful of streets and intersections that attract more accidents than others. That is precisely why the annual Worcester accident map study was founded.
About The Map
This year, the law firm of Peter Ventura analyzed and mapped all 5,759 accidents to occur in Worcester, MA in 2016 (the most recent year provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation). The goal of the map is to shed more light on how and where accidents are occuring in Worcester. The hope is that it may inspire Worcester residents to build better road habits and exercise caution when behind the wheel, especially when approaching any of the dangerous intersections highlighted on our Top 10 list.
To interact with the map, you can:
- Zoom and scroll with the mouse or your fingers
- Filter the accident data by selecting or deselecting options in the legend on the right
The Most Dangerous Intersections In 2015
| Intersection | # of Accidents In 2015 |
| Cambridge St & Kansas St | 16 |
| Belmont St & Plantation St | 15 |
| Highland St & Harvard St | 12 |
| Main St & Mill St | 12 |
| Park Avenue & Highland St | 12 |
| Chandler St & Mill St | 11 |
| Plantation St & I-290 | 10 |
| Cambridge St & Southbridge St | 10 |
| Park Avenue & May St | 10 |
| Stafford St & Heard St | 9 |
The Most Dangerous Intersections In 2016
| Intersection | # of Accidents In 2016 |
| Southbridge St & Hammond St | 18 |
| Chandler St & Mason St | 15 |
| Cambridge St & McKeon Rd | 14 |
| Mill St & Park Ave | 11 |
| Belmont St & Hooper St | 10 |
| Belmont St & Shrewsbury St | 10 |
| I-290 East & I-190 N | 10 |
| Park Ave & Highland St | 10 |
| Park Ave & Institute Rd | 10 |
| Park Ave & Maywood St | 10 |
Many of the same streets that have historically been problematic for drivers in the past have continued to make the Top 10 list. However, the intersecting streets where accidents occur can change slightly year to year. Belmont St, Mill St, Chandler St, and Park Ave consistently land on the Top 10 year over year. Park Ave is especially troublesome with four spots on the 2016 Top 10 most dangerous intersections list.
Southbridge St & Hammond St
The intersection of Southbridge St. & Hammond St. sits on the top of the list as the most dangerous intersection in Worcester with a total of 18 accidents and 13 injuries in 2016. The intersection is just one street north of Southbridge St. & Cambridge St., which made the top 10 last year. Southbridge is a large artery for travel in the city’s infrastructure. Main St. feeds in to Southbridge heading south and Southbridge feed into Francis J. McGrath Blvd heading North.
Chandler St & Mason St
The intersection of Chandler St & Mason St lies in the Main Middle neighborhood of the city just west of downtown. The intersection was home to 15 accidents and 8 injuries in 2016. Chandler St is commonly utilized to travel to and from downtown for residents on the west side of the city.
Cambridge St & McKeon Rd
Cambridge St & McKeon Rd is less than a mile from the intersection of Southbridge St and Hammond St (the most dangerous intersection in the city). It is also just 351 feet away from the intersection of Southbridge and Cambridge, which made the top 10 last year. Between those three intersections, this particular corner of South Worcester is very dangerous and drivers should proceed with caution when driving through the area.
Mill St & Park Ave
The intersection of Mill St and Park Ave can be found in the southern end of the Main South neighborhood. The intersection was the location of 11 accidents and two injuries in 2016.
Belmont St & Hooper St
Located on the corner of UMass Memorial Medical Center and just feet away from I-290, the intersection of Belmont St and Hooper St is heavily trafficked. There were a total of 10 accidents to occur at Belmont and Hooper, resulting in five injuries.
Belmont St & Shrewsbury St
The intersection of Belmont St and Shrewsbury St is the second intersection off of Belmont to make the list. The intersection lies just a mile east of Belmont and Hooper. Like Belmont and Hooper, it was also the site of 10 accidents in 2016.
I-290 East & I-190 N
I-290 runs east and west while I-190 runs north and south. The two highways receive considerably high levels of traffic on a daily basis. Naturally, the areas where I-190 feeds into I-290 and vice versa have a higher risk accidents.
Park Ave & Highland St
Park Avenue is a major travel artery in Worcester that has historically carried a higher risk for accidents. The intersection of Park Avenue and Highland Street can be found in the Newton Square neighborhood. It was home to 10 accidents in 2016.
Park Ave & Institute Rd
Just one street north of Highland is the next intersection on the top 10 list. The intersection of Park Avenue and Institute Road was home to 10 accidents in 2016, which resulted in five injuries.
Park Ave & Maywood St
The intersection of Park Ave and Maywood St is the last intersection on the top 10 list. It lies in the Columbus Park neighborhood and was home to 10 accidents in 2016 that resulted in four injuries.
The Worst Roads For Injuries
Analyzing accidents on an intersection basis is helpful, but it’s important to keep in mind that accidents don’t just occur at intersections. Some roads are inherently more dangerous than others as well. Drivers should remain vigilant while driving along I-290 in particular. A total of 260 accidents occured along I-290 resulting in 76 injuries. I-190 was also home to 52 accidents, which resulted in 14 injuries. When driving on the highway, It’s important to remember to check your mirrors before merging lanes, keep a safe distance between you and the cars around you, and take occasional breaks on long drives. It’s best to take a 15 minute break for every 2 hours of driving.
What To Do If An Accident Occurs
If you find yourself involved in a car accident in Worcester, the most beneficial thing you can do is seek legal counsel immediately. Insurance companies will often try to reduce your claim; leaving you with significantly less than you’re entitled to. Having an experienced auto accident attorney on your side will greatly improve your chances of receiving the accident compensation you deserve. Compensation could include medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. For a free car accident consultation, contact Peter Ventura today.
