Most Dangerous Roads in Your County

Do you ever wonder which are the most dangerous roads in your county? If you live in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you can now turn to a new interactive map created by the government. The map shows the number of crashes that have occurred in a particular spot and the number of those crashes that resulted in fatalities.

You can learn much more about car accidents in your county from this map. The location pins are color coded to indicate injuries, fatalities and property damage. When you click on one of these pins, a box opens giving details of the car crash. This the information in this box indicates the location of the crash, the number of fatalities and/or injuries, and much more.

The box includes:

You might be thinking that this is wonderful information, presented in an engaging format, but that it has no real relevance to you. On the other hand, you might see immediate value in the information the map provides.

For example, if you are the parent of teenagers, you might want to discuss with your teens the specific locations where teens tend to be involved in auto accidents. You might want to explain why these locations are dangerous and how they can best be alert and responsive when driving there.  You also might want to advise your teenage drivers that serious crashes with trucks tend to occur at certain locations.

Another example would be to identify the route your child takes when walking or bicycling to school. A review of the map might indicate a large number of accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists in a particular point on their route. Caution might then suggest that they alter the route in order to avoid this particularly dangerous spot.

Again, if someone in your family rides a motorcycle, you might discover that 90 percent of winter motorcycle accidents occur along a specific segment of a road. This might suggest that there is a heightened danger during winter months – perhaps that area tends to freeze frequently and easily. You might conclude that avoiding that stretch of road or driving with extra caution in winter would be wise for your motorcyclist.

Used thoughtfully, this map offers everyone the opportunity to identify the most dangerous areas, streets, or intersections in your county. Understanding the causes of auto accidents in these locations allows you to be especially alert when driving there. This information also might help you keep a loved one safer on roads in your county (or in another county).

Sometimes, being forewarned is enough to encourage us to slow down, use extra care, and be particularly alert in dangerous areas. Further, you can use this as an opportunity to discuss defensive driving with all drivers in your family and ensure that each driver has the knowledge and skill to handle a dangerous situation effectively. We encourage you to know what you can about the most dangerous roads in your county.

If we had our way, there would be no auto accidents. Unfortunately, people will continue to be involved in crashes. Some of those people will be hurt and some may be killed. The trusted attorneys of Altizer Law, P.C., have been helping clients who have been injured due to the wrongdoing or negligence of other for more than 25 years. We are known for compassion. We are also known for formidably defending your rights and winning justice for you. We do what we do because you might need us one day.