Most Dangerous Intersections and Roads in Petoskey
Petoskey is a beautiful city located along U.S. 131 near Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan. However, there are some dangers around Petoskey – specifically when driving at intersections and on some roadways.
When you know which spans of the road are the most dangerous, you can be more aware of your surroundings when you drive there. While you can’t always avoid a specific roadway, you can always drive more defensively and work to prevent car accidents in Petoskey.
Some of the most dangerous intersections and roads in the Petoskey area include:
U.S. 131
U.S. 131 runs through Petoskey on the east side of town. It connects many cities in Michigan, including Grand Rapids and farther south. It ends at U.S. 31, which is also a dangerous highway in Petoskey.
The main reason that U.S. 131 is so dangerous is that drivers often fail to abide by the Michigan Vehicle Code while on the road. They often speed, fail to use turn signals, and make illegal lane changes. It can also be difficult to get on and off the highway at exits.
Traffic is often extremely thick during rush hour as people travel to and from work. The intersection to Bay Mall frequently gets congested as well. U.S. 131’s connection to Charlevoix Ave. (U.S. 31) has a traffic light, but it is often disregarded by reckless drivers.
The best way to avoid serious car accidents on U.S. 131 is follow the Michigan rules of the road. Drive safely and watch other drivers around you. Use defensive driving techniques, including scanning the road for others to increase your awareness of your surroundings.
U.S. 31
U.S. 31 is in the northeast side of Petoskey. It starts at U.S. 131 as Charlevoix Ave. The most dangerous part of U.S. 31 in Petoskey is the intersection with U.S. 131. This traffic light intersection is often the scene of serious auto accidents.
U.S. 31 runs through several retail areas, which can build up a lot of traffic – especially after 5:00 pm rush hour when people are heading home and visiting these businesses. Additionally, there are several hotels and tourist attractions along U.S. 31. This draws people who are unfamiliar with the area and frequently make driver errors that result in crashes.
Taking proactive steps to avoid an auto accident on U.S. 31, also called Charlevoix Ave., is necessary. You can do this by maintaining the speed limit and remaining in the moment by avoiding distractions like using your cell phone while driving.
Charlevoix Ave. and Spring St. Intersection
The intersection at Charlevoix Ave. and Spring St. is the most dangerous road connection in Petoskey. Spring Street is a four-lane roadway with turn lanes at Charlevoix Avenue. Charlevoix Ave. becomes U.S. 31 at that intersection, so it becomes a larger roadway.
There is a lot of traffic at the Charlevoix Ave.-Spring St. intersection, especially during rush hour. People are traveling to and from work, often rushing to get somewhere they need to be quickly. This can cause drivers to illegally speed and disregard traffic lights.
There is also a crosswalk at this intersection with pedestrian traffic lights. While pedestrians should always follow traffic lights, motor vehicle drivers should watch carefully for the people and give right of way when they are in the intersection.
When in the Charlevoix Ave. and Spring St. intersection, avoid unnecessary auto accidents by watching for pedestrians and other motor vehicles. Ensure you follow the Michigan Vehicle Code by using turn signals and following traffic lights.
Madison St. and Connable Ave. Intersection
The Madison Street and Connable Avenue intersection, which is close to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, is another dangerous roadway in Petoskey. This intersection connects near several other major roadways, including W. Jefferson St. and U.S. 131. There are also multiple drives that connect the hospital attached to Madison St. and Connable Ave., which can cause confusion.
Madison St. actually connects to Connable Ave. at two locations because the road is split with other private drives in between the intersections. This can be confusing to people who are unfamiliar with the area, which is common because of frequently visitors to the medical offices nearby.
You can avoid accidents at this intersection by proceeding slowly through the area and watching other vehicles carefully. Keep plenty of distance between your car and the one in front of you. Vehicles frequently stop quickly and make sudden turns around this area because they are looking for entrances to the hospital or other businesses. Avoid driver errors and keep an eye on others who may make mistakes.
Connable Ave. and Monroe St. Intersection
Connable Ave. and Monroe St. connect just south of the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital and across from U.S. 131. They intersect at a curve in the road that can be confusing for people who are looking for local businesses and may be unfamiliar with the area.
At this intersection, Monroe St. is a small two-lane road that often has cars parked on both sides. Connable Ave. is also small with many cars that frequently park along the curbs. Spring Street, or U.S. 131, is a four-lane highway that is visible from the intersection.
People can easily get confused by the inundation of cars and roadways as well as pedestrians on the nearby sidewalks. It can be even more difficult if the driver needs to find a parking spot near the intersection of Monroe St. and Connable Ave.
You can avoid a serious accident or fender bender at this intersection by proceeding with caution and keeping an eye out for other cars and pedestrians. Look at a map or GPS before you drive in the area so that you are aware of where you are going and potential problem areas.
Top Causes of Accidents at Intersections in Petoskey
Petoskey intersections have been strategically planned; however, they still pose a risk for many motor vehicle drivers. Whether you are from town or simply visiting, you should be aware of the most common causes of intersection accidents in Petoskey so that you can avoid them.
Driver error is the most common cause of auto accidents nationwide, and that trend is true in Petoskey as well. Here are some specific violations of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code from drivers in Petoskey:
Reckless speeding
Failure to yield
Aggressive driving
Distracted driving
Drunk driving under the influence
Illegal left-hand turns
Poor visibility
Failure to adhere to traffic signs and signals
Improper lane changes
Teen drivers and the elderly, as well as those who are inexperienced drivers, are another top cause of intersection accidents. They simply don’t have the knowledge and experience to react appropriately in difficult roadway situations.
A Petoskey Intersection Accident Lawyer Can Guide You Through a Claim
If you or a loved one was injured at an intersection in Petoskey, you should reach out to MichiganLawsuit.com right away. We can help you file an insurance claim with your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, if necessary.
When you call our Petoskey auto accident lawyers, we will explain your options to you. Contact MichiganLawsuit.com at 855-
-MICH today to speak with a lead attorney about your case.
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