Top 10 Crash Intersections in Arlington Heights

There are 10 intersections in Arlington Heights that carry the dubious distinction of having the highest number of car crashes occur there.

In 2012, there were a total of 1,770 crashes village-wide, which was down 10-percent from 2011 when there were 1,965 collisions.

Arlington Heights Police not only identify the top crash intersections, but also increase visible enforcement in an effort to reduce the number and severity of crashes in the areas, said Commander Andrew Whowell with the Arlington Heights Police Department.

The Top 10 crash intersections in 2012 and the number of collisions that occurred:

1. Arlington Heights and Rand Road 62
2. Arlington Heights Road and Golf Road 61
3. Arlington Heights Road and Palatine Road 52
4. Palatine Road and Rand Road 49
5. Arlington Heights Road and Algonquin Road 40
6. Golf Road and Algonquin Road 31
7. Palatine Road and Kennicott Avenue 30
8. Northwest Highway and Euclid Avenue 29
9. Palatine Road and Route 53 28
10. Algonquin Road and New Wilke Road 25

Arlington Heights Road and Rand Road was the only intersection on the list that saw more collisions in 2012 compared to 2011, with a 14.8 percent increase. There were a total of 62 crashes in 2012 and 54 in year 2011.

Other statistics provided by Whowell included a slight decrease of personal injury crashes (1.3 percent). A more significant decrease was recorded in property damage accidents (11.3 percent) which went down from 1,664 in 2011, to 1,475 in 2012.

There also was a decrease in fatal crashes throughout the village, from three in 2011, to one in 2012.

Whowell stated in the report that the fatal crash involved an elderly person on a bicycle who crossed a major intersection and did not yield to passing motorists.

When we asked people on the Arlington Heights Facebook page about the most dangerous intersections in town, a number of individuals weighed in.

Melissa Schwartz said Kennicott and Maude has proven to be a dangerous area, pointing out that the crossing guard there often is nearly hit by vehicles.

Palatine and Schoenbeck was highlighted by Pam Kirsch Greenberg as another hazardous area, while Jill Hopper Collins said South and Mitchell near South Middle School also is unsafe.

Other areas pointed to as dangerous were Main Street and Route 83, Kensington and Rand Road and Route 12 by Randhurst, according to John Minardi. Julie Schultz said the Patton school intersection at Maude and Patton also can be perilous. 

What is your opinion? Do you know of other areas in town that you think should have made the list? Tell us in the comments section below.