Author: Sean K. McQuaid
If you live in Tampa Bay, this article is a must read. I give major credit to Creative Loafing for investigating the 30 most dangerous intersections in the area. They took the data from the Florida Department of Transportation and added up the intersections with the most crashes between 2015-19 (the most recent data available). In their article, they broke down the intersections with the most crashes, any fatalities, the number of severe crashes, and the number of pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Their article also includes a photo of each intersection.
I am very impressed that they took the initiative to pull together this data. It is a legitimate public service. The results are consistent with what I see in my personal injury practice. The major intersections with the most traffic are the ones with the most crashes. But the volume of people being hurt is truly scary. No wonder why there are billboards for personal injury attorneys up and down all of these roads! Take US 19 in Pinellas County as an example. Over the years, I have written several articles and filmed videos warning about the sheer volume of accidents all along US 19. I have represented countless people hurt at these same intersections. The Creative Loafing article confirmed what I thought to be the case. US 19 in Pinellas County is the most dangerous road in the entire area. It is not even close. But, please look at the numbers of accidents at these intersections and see if you agree
Pinellas County Accidents:
Accidents on US 19
Out of the top 30 most dangerous intersections, eight are found on US 19 in Pinellas County! This road is a real danger and I have not seen any construction projects that would change this risk. If these numbers of accidents and people getting injured doesn’t prompt a change, I don’t know what will.
| US 19 and Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater Total Crashes: 660 Severe Crashes: 13 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 8 |
US 19 and Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor Total Crashes: 642 Fatalities: 2 Severe Crashes: 13 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 2 |
| US 19 and Curlew Rd., Palm Harbor Total Crashes: 613 Fatalities: 2 Severe Crashes: 13 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 8 |
US 19 and Drew St., Clearwater Total Crashes: 591 Severe Crashes: 8 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 13 |
| US 19 and East Bay Dr., Largo Total Crashes: 542 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 13 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 11 |
US 19 and Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park Total Crashes: 463 Severe Crashes: 6 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 7 |
| US 19 and Main St., Dunedin Total Crashes: 401 Severe Crashes: 3 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 5 |
US 19 and E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs Total Crashes: 388 Severe Crashes: 8 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 4 |
Other Dangerous Spots in Pinellas County
I-275 and 22nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg
Total Crashes: 368
Severe Crashes: 12
Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 3
This intersection used to be a real danger because the entrance to the northbound lane of I-275 had a double light and an odd left hand turn. The cars that were merging onto the on ramp from the opposite direction were constantly causing traffic to stop suddenly. I personally witnessed these problems because I drove through this intersection on the way to the St. Petersburg office twice a day for 15 years. But, this intersection was actually made much safer in 2019. The lanes were completely changed and I guarantee this area has become less dangerous. I know this design change was one of the success stories to cut down on car accidents.
| SR 60 and Belcher Rd., Clearwater Total Crashes: 542 Fatalities: 3 Severe Crashes: 7 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 18 |
SR 686 and 34th St. N., Clearwater Total Crashes: 386 Fatalities: 3 Severe Crashes: 15 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 4 |
| SR 686 and Starkey Rd., Largo Total Crashes: 385 Severe Crashes: 11 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 17 |
Hillsborough County Accidents
Tampa Crash Locations
| US 92 and I-275, Tampa Total Crashes: 536 Severe Crashes: 7 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 3 |
SR 60 and Brandon Town Center Dr, Brandon Total crashes: 515 Fatalities: 2 Severe Crashes: 9 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 8 |
| US 301 and Progress Blvd., Brandon Total Crashes: 467 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 11 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 6 |
SR 582 and 30th St., Tampa Total Crashes: 501 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 4 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 5 |
| US 92 and Cherokee Ave., Tampa Total Crashes: 469 Severe Crashes: 7 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 2 |
Dale Mabry Hwy. and Waters Ave., Tampa Total Crashes: 436 Fatalities: 3 Severe Crashes: 5 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 18 |
| SR 574 and I-275, Tampa Total Crashes: 427 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 9 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 8 |
SR 60 and Falkenburg Rd., Tampa Total Crashes: 374 Fatalities: 2 Severe Crashes: 7 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 4 |
| I-275 and E. Busch Blvd., Tampa Total Crashes: 374 Severe Crashes: 3 |
Riverview
The following locations are within minutes of our Riverview office. Anyone who has ever driven in this area recognizes the volume of vehicles traveling in this area. With the population explosion in Riverview, traffic accidents and injuries are going to be a huge problem for years to come. There just simply aren’t enough major roadways to handle the traffic.
| US 301 and Gibsonton Dr., Riverview Total Crashes: 487 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 17 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 6 |
US 301 and Big Bend Rd., Riverview Total Crashes: 375 Severe Crashes: 19 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 10 |
| I75 and Big Bend Rd. Riverview Total Crashes: 369 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 22 |
Other Hillsborough Crash Locations:
| SR 589 and SR 580, Town ‘n’ Country Total Crashes: 531 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 10 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 3 |
CR 584 and Hanley Rd., Town ‘n’ Country Total Crashes: 368 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 5 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 14 |
Pasco County Accidents
| CR 1 and Ridge Rd., New Port Richey Total Crashes: 450 Fatalities: 1 Severe Crashes: 40 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 7 |
US 41 and SR 54, Land O’Lakes Total Crashes: 414 Fatalities: 2 Severe Crashes: 21 Pedestrian and Bike Crashes: 5 |
Why Are There So Many Accidents in Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay was already densely populated. It is now one of the fastest growing areas in the country. During the pandemic people from all over the country moved to the area in droves. According to a recent study, Tampa Bay was the 9th fastest growing metro area in the country. Keep in mind that the Creative Loafing article was based on crash data from before the pandemic. So, how the population explosion has affected car crashes and pedestrian accidents still remains to be seen. But, the odds are that the problem has gotten worse.
What Can Be Done About This Danger?
The only realistic solution to the problem is to improve the infrastructure around Tampa Bay. Mass public transportation seems unlikely anytime soon. Thus, the number of cars on the roads is only going to increase. There have already been some safety improvements such as expanded bicycle lanes and pedestrian crossings, but that can only go so far. Massive investment into our roads is needed or these horrific numbers of injuries will continue.
Contact a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
I might be a little biased because our law firm was named Best of the Bay by Creative Loafing. But, I have personally represented people injured in traffic crashes at most of the intersections in the Creative Loafing article. My offices in St. Petersburg and Riverview are literally minutes away from several of the most dangerous spots. Tragically, I see way too many preventable car accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured at one of these intersections, please contact me for guidance. I can help you with the insurance company, your medical treatment, and provide answers about how the process works. My consultations are always free of charge. I hope that this article sheds some light on the dangers on our roads. Please be safe out there!
