Ford Road Intersection Among State's Most Dangerous

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — For the first time in years, the intersection of Ford and Haggerty roads isn’t among the top 20 most dangerous in Michigan. Often high on the list, the intersection saw a 30 percent decrease in the number of crashes in 2016 compared to 2015.

The township, however, didn’t completely disappear from the list, which is compiled each year by Farmington Hills-based Michigan Auto Law. The intersection of Ford and Lilley roads ranked 19th in the state with 85 crashes.

Michigan Auto Law attorney Steven Gursten said years of data analysis on Michigan auto accidents has shown — unsurprisingly — that larger populations equal more traffic, which typically results in more overall car crashes. He said it explains why all but one of the top 20 intersections on the list are in southeast Michigan counties.

Macomb County topped all area counties with eight spots in the top 20 while Oakland County was second with six. Besides Ford and Lilley, other Wayne County intersections making the list include:

• Telegraph Road and Schoolcraft Road in Redford Township, ranked sixth
• Middlebelt Road and Schoolcraft Road in Livonia, ranked 16th

Gursten, who is president of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, said intersections include any accident that occurred within 250 feet of any intersection, including turnarounds and on/off ramps to highways. He said an “Intersection” is defined as any road with a traffic signal, four-way stop or roundabout.

Rankings are based data from 2016 compiled by the Michigan State Police’s traffic crash reporting unit, Gursten said. The unit collects motor vehicle accident reports from local law enforcement to identify what intersections had the highest number of reported car crashes, he added.

Photo courtesy Google Maps