There are many reasons that drivers cause crashes at intersections. Some people refuse to yield the right of way or don’t come to a full stop when they should. Others don’t properly monitor their surroundings. Distracted driving has only worsened issues related to inattentive drivers.
There are numerous traffic habits that can contribute to intersection collision risk. Many of the choices that cause crashes involve violations of the law. However, when looking at dangerous maneuvers in particular, one choice at an intersection stands out as the leading cause of preventable crashes.
Contrary to what people might expect, the top risk factor is neither illegal nor negligent. It is the perfectly normal decision to turn left.
Turning left is a dangerous choice
People can legally turn left at most intersections if they use the right lane and indicate their intent to others. Unfortunately, left turns have a strong association with collision risk. That risk is so significant that some domestic delivery companies specifically plan driver routes to minimize left turns.
A majority of the collisions that occur at intersections involve someone turning left. Even when people use designated turn lanes, yield the right of way and engage their turn signals, they could still end up in a preventable collision because they turn left at a busy intersection. Other drivers may not follow the law, which can lead to a preventable, serious collision.
Taking steps to avoid preventable crashes is important. So is knowing how to respond after a collision occurs. Drivers involved in left-turn crashes may be able to hold other motorists accountable for failing to monitor their surroundings and then causing preventable wrecks.