Beware: Cleveland's 5 Most Dangerous Intersections

It’s Hard to forget their rhyming slogan: “Hurt in a car? Call KNR!” But managing partner Rob Nestico of personal injury firm Kisling, Nestico and Redick has a less catchy, but more important message to get out: “Drive with care.” People assume winter is when the worst car accidents occur, but Nestico actually sees more serious injuries during summertime. “A lot of people just become lax because of the weather,” he says. So we took a closer look at the spots the law firm identified — using 2014-16 state accident reports — as Cuyahoga County’s most dangerous intersections.  

1.  I-90 and Lorain Avenue 
127.61 average observed crashes
As West Side commuters are well aware, the sun is in your eyes in the morning and on the way home, making this wavy stretch of I-90 just a tad treacherous. “It does get a little congested there,” says Amanda McFarland, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

2. I-77 and I-90 
305.58 average observed crashes
While this stretch is heavily traveled by daily commuters, it also sees an influx of visitors to downtown’s museums, sports venues and other attractions, says McFarland. “There’s just a lot happening in that area,” she says. “It could be people traveling that maybe are a little unfamiliar.”

3. I-90 east of Bratenahl Road 
180.28 average observed crashes
Construction on the Eddy Road bridge caused detours and created new traffic patterns in this area of I-90 for more than a year beginning in October 2013. “Some of the crashes could have been because people were just a little bit unfamiliar with the work zone,” says  McFarland.

4. I-271 and Cedar Road
161.53 average observed crashes
With a traffic signal at the top of the ramp for three lanes turning onto Brainard Road and an inside lane curling onto Cedar Road, the congested Cedar- Brainard exit frequently backs up onto I-271. “There wasn’t enough places for them to go,” says McFarland, who notes that an expanded ramp opened this spring. “Hopefully it’s helping clear out the traffic that gets backed up on the mainline faster.”

5. I-271 south of Fairmount Boulevard 
182.4 average observed crashes
The I-271 center express lanes  exit into the local lanes in this tricky spot where drivers looking to get off at Cedar Road must cross four lanes in just under a mile. “One suggestion we might be looking into there is changing some of the signage to encourage people to get out of the express lanes sooner,” says McFarland.

Road Tipping
During the summer, road trips are king. But as you pack that cooler, don’t forget the journey is just as important as the destination. Here are three tips for keeping your wild summer safe.

Do your homework.
Check online for orange barrel zones before you leave and adjust your mirrors before turning on the ignition. “Then you can keep your eyes on the road, instead of taking them off while you’re driving,” says Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Robert Sellers. 

Keep your cool. 
With an abundance of active wildlife during the summer, you’re likely to encounter a possum, deer or raccoon on the roadway. If an animal suddenly dashes into your path, it’s actually better to hit it than lose control veering into another lane. “We always tell people to firmly grasp the steering wheel, begin to slow and just hit the deer,” says Sellers. “Don’t swerve out of the way.”

Share the road.
Summer is motorcycle season, so keep your twin peepers peeled for two wheelers. “They can be easier to look past,” says Sellers. “So make sure you look twice.”