New cameras to tackle ‘most dangerous intersection in the US’ – neighbors say ‘it’s scary’ and might not be enough

A DANGEROUS intersection will see cameras to capture and cite red light runners to help improve pedestrian and driver safety.

In the first month of the pilot program, more than 5,000 alerts were sent to drivers.

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An intersection in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was previously considered the most dangerous intersection in the country due to six major problems found in a 2008 audit.

The intersection between Knights Road and Street Road had dark traffic lights, poor signage, episodes of aggressive driving and a “unique” shape that tends to confuse drivers, he wrote Heslin Law.

That year, 144 accidents occurred two years before the audit, with 170 people seriously injured.

Ron Krier, owner of a car insurance company so close to the intersection he can see it from his office window, confirmed the danger he sees almost every day.

“This is the most dangerous intersection in the country,” Krier told FOX affiliate WTXF-TV.

“Repeatedly, I have seen several accidents here. I have clients of mine who call me and tell me to turn on my cameras so I can watch the accident that just happened.”

A few months ago, the city of Bensalem installed cameras at the intersection designed to capture those running red lights and send a citation to the registered address.

From April 1st until this week in June, drivers received warnings so they could adapt.

This weekend, we’re taking the gloves off and drivers will receive $100 fines for their first offense of running a red light.

Local police hope the cameras will help control the intersection, as more than 5,200 warnings were sent out in the first month of the pilot program.

Residents are also hopeful, as those living nearby hear accidents almost constantly.

“We see flashes all day long,” Grace Villa Gomez said of the cameras.

“At night, it’s like, ‘Wow! Who’s taking a photo?’ All day they’re going, going, going.”

Grace has lived in Bensalem for almost a decade and says she has heard about an accident happening to those running red lights several times a month.

Tips for Navigating Tricky Intersections

Heslin Law Firm has published some tips for navigating dangerous intersections similar to the one in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, both as a pedestrian and as a driver:

1. Leave a good amount of space between you and the vehicle in front of you when approaching an intersection. This way, you’ll have room to stop if the person you’re following needs to hit the brakes when leaving.
2. Remember that stop signs and traffic lights should not be used as opportunities to look at your phone or GPS. If you need to do this, pull over in a safe place, away from traffic.
3. Never change lanes while in the middle of an intersection. Instead, do this after leaving the intersection and onto a straight stretch of road with clear visibility.
4. If you encounter a traffic light that is not working, treat it as a four-way stop sign.
5. When turning right at a stop sign, you will of course have to check that no one is coming from the left. However, you should also look to the right before turning to ensure there are no stopped vehicles or other obstacles in your path.
6. After making sure the intersection is clear of other vehicles, look closely in all directions for pedestrians crossing the street. Also pay attention to cyclists passing directly through the intersection.

Source: Helsin law firm

“We’ve lived here for about eight years,” she said.

“There are accidents, literally, I would say, at least once a week.”

Her house is just steps from the intersection and she said car accidents happen near her door.

Although she has never been in a car accident at her home, speed cameras should also help reduce that possibility.

“I think they should have done this much sooner,” she said.