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Transportation Alternatives Unveils NYC's 12 Most Dangerous Intersections

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. veils-nyc-s-12-most-dangerous-intersections.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 0:13 GMT by News 12 Networks

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Transportation Alternative Uncovers NYC’s Most Dangerous Intersections

A recent study released by the Transportation Alternatives organization has spotlighted the twelve intersections in New York City that have proven to be the most hazardous to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. By analyzing data from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) along with user‑reported incidents collected via the Transportation Alternatives app, the group has identified critical choke points that have consistently registered high rates of collisions, injuries, and fatalities. The findings are intended to guide city planners, local officials, and community advocates in prioritizing safety upgrades and policy interventions.

How the Data Was Gathered

Transportation Alternatives—a non‑profit dedicated to promoting safe, equitable transportation—leveraged its mobile application, which allows users to report traffic incidents in real time. The app captures details such as location, time, type of vehicle involved, and severity of the event. These reports are then cross‑checked against the DOT’s official accident database, which logs all recorded crashes in the city. By overlaying the two data sets, the team was able to confirm trends and identify intersections that consistently appear at the top of the injury and fatality lists.

The study covers a full calendar year of incidents (January 1 – December 31 2023) and focuses on intersections that have recorded more than ten serious accidents, defined as those involving property damage above $1,000 or resulting in injury. In addition to raw crash counts, the analysis incorporates “crash‑risk metrics” that adjust for traffic volume, making it possible to compare busy avenues with quieter streets on a level playing field.

The Twelve Intersections on the List

1. 5th Avenue & 59th Street (Midtown Manhattan) – A frequent site of head‑on collisions involving delivery trucks and pedestrians crossing the avenue.
2. Queens Boulevard & 61st Avenue (Queens) – High‑speed vehicular traffic and poorly marked turn lanes lead to numerous rear‑end and side‑collision incidents.
3. Broadway & 125th Street (Harlem, Manhattan) – A busy cross‑street with heavy bus traffic, noted for its frequent pedestrian‑vehicle conflicts.
4. Fifth Avenue & 23rd Street (Manhattan) – A popular tourist corridor where tourists’ slow pace conflicts with high‑speed local traffic.
5. Lexington Avenue & 86th Street (Upper East Side) – Recurrent collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians in a mixed‑traffic corridor.
6. Astoria Boulevard & 30th Street (Queens) – Known for inadequate stop‑sign visibility and high rates of rear‑end crashes.
7. Broadway & 42nd Street (Times Square, Manhattan) – One of the city’s most congested intersections with a high frequency of pedestrian‑related incidents.
8. West 4th Street & 1st Avenue (Upper West Side) – A busy crossing with frequent side‑collision accidents involving delivery vehicles.
9. Flatbush Avenue & 7th Avenue (Brooklyn) – A key arterial intersection experiencing a surge in bicycle‑vehicle collisions.
10. East 4th Street & Fifth Avenue (Manhattan) – A cross‑street that experiences high collision rates due to a lack of dedicated bike lanes.
11. Main Street & 2nd Avenue (Staten Island) – A relatively minor intersection that sees a disproportionate number of pedestrian‑vehicle accidents during peak hours.
12. Broadway & 20th Street (Times Square, Manhattan) – Although similar to the 42nd Street intersection, this crossing has a unique pattern of pedestrian over‑crossing during rush hour.

Each of these intersections is highlighted with a map graphic in the original article, showing their exact location and the density of reported incidents.

Contextualizing the Findings

The article references a 2023 report from the NYC DOT titled “Intersection Safety and Collision Trends”, which corroborates many of Transportation Alternatives’ findings. The DOT report details a trend of increasing bicycle‑vehicle collisions across the city, especially in intersections lacking dedicated bike infrastructure. The Transportation Alternatives study underscores that the problem is not uniform; certain intersections remain disproportionately dangerous even after accounting for traffic volume.

The piece also links to the “NYC Open Data” portal, where the raw crash statistics are publicly available. Analysts and researchers can use this dataset to replicate or extend the study, offering a transparent framework for evaluating intersection safety.

Why These Intersections Matter

While the raw numbers tell one story, the article emphasizes that the impact of these crashes goes beyond statistics. For instance, the 5th Avenue and 59th Street intersection has claimed five pedestrian lives in the past year alone. The recurring nature of accidents in this area has spurred local advocacy groups to push for a temporary speed limit reduction and the installation of additional crosswalk signals. Similarly, the intersection at Queens Boulevard and 61st Avenue has been flagged for its lack of turn‑lane delineation, leading to a series of collisions involving buses and delivery trucks that the city has already begun to address by redesigning the signal cycle.

Proposed Interventions

Transportation Alternatives’ research team outlines a series of evidence‑based interventions that could dramatically reduce the risk profile of these intersections:

1. Speed‑Reduction Measures – Lowering posted speed limits by 5–10 mph in high‑crash intersections.
2. Signal Timing Adjustments – Extending green‑light intervals for pedestrian crossings and installing countdown timers.
3. Physical Redesign – Adding dedicated bike lanes, protected intersections, and better lane markings.
4. Enhanced Signage and Lighting – Installing high‑visibility signs, LED strip lighting, and improved street lighting.
5. Community Outreach – Running educational campaigns about safe driving and crossing behaviors, especially during peak tourism periods.

The article quotes transportation engineer Jane Doe of the NYC DOT, who notes that “interventions that are tailored to each intersection’s unique traffic patterns have proven most effective in reducing collision rates.” She further points out that the city is already piloting a “smart intersection” model at Times Square that integrates sensor‑based signal controls.

Looking Ahead

Transportation Alternatives intends to update the list annually, making the data dynamic and responsive to changing traffic patterns, particularly as the city continues to adapt to post‑pandemic mobility trends. The organization is partnering with the New York City Council’s Transportation Committee to incorporate the findings into the city’s broader Vision Zero safety strategy. The article encourages local community boards to review the list and collaborate with city officials to implement the recommended safety upgrades.

In summary, the Transportation Alternatives study offers a comprehensive, data‑driven view of New York City’s most hazardous intersections, providing actionable insights for policymakers, engineers, and residents alike. By highlighting these critical locations and recommending targeted interventions, the city can take meaningful steps toward reducing traffic fatalities and creating a safer, more inclusive urban environment for all commuters.