Most Dangerous Intersections in Broomfield, CO

Broomfield, Colorado, part of the Denver metropolitan area, has seen increased residential and employment growth over the years, and with that has come higher travel demands. The area has seen increased traffic, traffic congestion, and motor vehicle accidents. It is also a key player in the freight movement and distribution industries, which means a high volume of commercial trucks and trains also move through the area.

According to the 2016 Transportation Plan for the City and County of Broomfield, the most recent report available, congestion affects 13 miles of the area's arterial street system. However, that's expected to change to 20 miles by 2040. Still, with all this traffic in the region, some road crossings stand out more than others, making them some of the most dangerous intersections in Broomfield, CO.

Broomfield's 2016 transportation report highlights its highest-ranked crash intersections between 2012 and 2014, the most recent data available from Broomfield:

• S. Route 36 & Wadsworth Boulevard
• 160th Avenue and Huron Street
• 136th Avenue and Zuni Street
• 120th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard
• S. Route 287 and 10th Avenue

Another report, the Evaluation of Traffic Flow Study issued in 2017, followed up by comparing Broomfield traffic data from 2007 to traffic data collected in the area for the years 2014, 2015, and 2017.

It states that between 2015 and 2017, the overall number of accidents rose about 23% during that time and that more accidents occurred at state highway intersections. These areas saw the biggest increases:

• State Highway 7 and Huron Street
• S. Route 287 and Midway Boulevard
• State Highway 7 and Sheridan Parkway
• State Highway SH 7 and Lowell Boulevard

Per the report, rear-end accidents and left-turn collisions were frequent in these areas during that two-year period.

A turn lanes project was recently finished for 160th Avenue and Huron Street intersection. It aims to reduce the crash rate and traffic congestion during peak morning and evening traffic times. Still, according to the City and County of Broomfield, Colorado's website, it remains the 16th crash rate location for intersections they maintain.

Per the city and county, "Broomfield continues to receive more calls and emails, both from Broomfield residents and residents of surrounding areas, with concerns about this intersection, than any other intersection in the City."

The intersection ranked No. 1 in the most frequent crashes of all the intersections maintained in the city and county in 2014. Even though separate turn lanes and a traffic signal were installed at this intersection in 2016, it remains on the city and county's watch lists.

According to a report from the Broomfield Enterprise, the Sheridan and Preble Creek intersection was one of the most dangerous in the city from 2011 to 2018. Crashes happened at the intersection regularly, the report states, which also names Sheridan Parkway and 160th Avenue as another frequent crash site.

No matter where you go in Broomfield, Colorado, you must drive safely for yourself and others. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explains why we have intersections and why intersection design is important. These crossings exist to make it easier for all road users, from vehicle drivers to bicyclists and pedestrians, to move about the same areas safely while using the routes. Per CDOT, intersection engineers must consider the following when designing and planning intersections:

• Human factors
• Traffic considerations
• Physical elements
• Economic factors

When any of these areas fall short, it could land an intersection on the most dangerous list. As noted earlier, left turns can cause many road crashes, and it's a common reason why accidents happen. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicles that make a left or right turn or cross over an intersection have a high risk of getting into an accident. However, of the three kinds of turns, left turns caused accidents more than the others in one analysis:

• Left turns (22.2%)
• Vehicles crossing over at the intersection (12.6%)
• Right turns (1.2%)

Some other factors that make intersections dangerous are:

• Traffic volume: Heavy traffic can overwhelm an intersection, causing congestion that makes the area unsafe for road users. If people cannot pass safely through an intersection, accidents can result in injuries and fatalities. Intersection improvement plans often aim to find ways to move traffic through the road crossing efficiently while also keeping accident rates low.

• Speeding: Going too fast or even too slow through an intersection can cause collisions. Motorists who want to beat a traffic light may speed up to run the light or traffic sign, and this could end unfavorably for them and others on the road. It is never safe to drive faster than the posted speed limit. Speeding accidents at intersections can end up in T-bone collisions and other deadly crashes.

• Slow drivers: People who drive under the posted speed limit can also cause traffic collisions. Their slow driving can cause traffic backups that make it hard for a person going the speed limit to adapt to their lower speed so they can avoid hitting the person in front of them. Taking longer to drive can be just as unsafe as a speeding driver.

• Unclear intersection design: An intersection with a clear, easy-to-follow traffic pattern can save lives. With traffic moving in different directions, drivers must be clear on who's doing what so they will know what they need to do. This includes understanding who has the right-of-way, as the NHTSA

If motorists have a hard time navigating a confusing intersection, they can easily make missteps that cause an accident. These include driving past signs that caution them to slow down or stop. They also may not see that a traffic signal isn't working. Sometimes, intersections lack the proper traffic signals to make the roads safer.

Because some of the most dangerous intersections in Broomfield, CO are in the area's major travel corridors, we urge you to be extra careful in those areas and drive safely wherever you are. However, we know accidents can happen no matter how safe we are. If you have been in an accident in Broomfield because of someone else's negligent driving, we can review the accident for free and let you know if you can recover damages from the at-fault or liable party.

Give Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC a call today for a free consultation at 303-543-1000. If we take your case, you won't have to pay us upfront fees as we work on contingency. We receive payment only if we recover compensation for you.