People are often quick to assume that illegal behavior is the underlying cause of most car crashes. While it is true that many motor vehicle collisions are the result of illegal behavior or negligence, crashes can also occur because people make theoretically legal decisions.
Sometimes, people make small decisions that directly increase their risk of a wreck. When looking at intersection crashes in particular, a common traffic maneuver has an outsized association with collision risk.
Turning left causes many crashes
According to a nationwide analysis of intersection collisions, left turns are more dangerous than people probably realize. Over 60% of all intersection collisions involve at least one vehicle conducting a left turn. The risk is so significant that urban planners try to address left-turn risk and delivery companies plan routes that minimize left-hand turns.
Factors including insufficient surveillance, driver distraction, excess speed and the failure to use turn signals may contribute to the risk of a crash. Particularly when people have to turn at busy intersections or during times of very heavy traffic, it may be beneficial for them to plan an alternate route rather than turning left and exposing themselves to risk.
That being said, the driver turning left is not necessarily the party at fault for the collision. They may be able to hold the other motorist responsible if they did not yield or otherwise violated traffic statutes.
Learning more about what causes car crashes can help people avoid them. Left turns are a risk factor even if they are technically a legal traffic maneuver. Drivers involved in left-hand turn collisions may need help proving who was at fault and seeking compensation from the right party, and that’s okay.