A variety of unique factors influence someone’s risk of a car crash. Certain factors, like the weather and the behavior of other motorists, are outside of an individual’s control. Other important considerations, like the condition of a vehicle and when they choose to drive, are factors that motorists directly control.
Drivers who are aware of what might increase their risk of a wreck can make informed choices to optimize their safety in traffic. One of the most important considerations is where someone drives. People living in Council Bluffs, Iowa may have to pass through particularly dangerous intersections sometimes. They may also drive on one of the most dangerous roads in the state without realizing it.
What locations have the strongest association with crash risk in Council Bluffs?
Some roads are more dangerous than others
Traffic volume is often a big part of what makes a road dangerous. The average speed maintained by vehicles is another top concern. Even the design decisions by municipal professionals can influence the likelihood of a crash and how severe crashes that do occur usually are.
The single most dangerous road in Council Bluffs is where Interstate Highway 29 and 30th Avenue cross. This intersection is the second most dangerous in the state according to an analysis by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Particularly busy intersections, including 25th & W. Broadway, Harry Langdon Blvd and Highway 92 and 21st and W. Broadway, are also dangerous because of the volume of traffic that moves through those intersections.
U.S. 6 from East of Council Bluffs to U.S. 59 is another local thoroughfare with a reputation for having too many fatal crashes. I-80 makes most lists of dangerous roads. The interstate passes through Omaha and Council Bluffs, causing many crashes in different jurisdictions.
Drivers may want to avoid the most dangerous streets and intersections during busy times of the day or when they feel particularly rushed. They may also want to focus more on safety and monitoring their surroundings if they have to travel these more dangerous routes. Understanding what contributes to motor vehicle collision risk can help people prioritize their overall safety in traffic. Those who have the right information can make choices that help maximize their safety.