Most Dangerous Roads in the Greater Richmond Region

Everyone who’s traveled in the United States knows that, unfortunately, some highways can be just plain risky. There are a range of factors that influence how hazardous road systems are, but a few of the most common are worn-out infrastructure, congestion, extreme weather, and challenging terrain. One other less common but equally serious factor contributing to auto accidents is long-haul truckers. In fact, 1 in 3 long-haul truckers will be involved in a serious truck accident during their career.

Some US roads—such as highway intersections—are so high-risk that it’s rare for a week to go by with no accidents at all. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), more than 50% of vehicle accidents in the United States occur at or near intersections, resulting in injuries or, worse, fatalities. One such road is the I-64-U.S. 29 bypass exchange, which is among the worst traffic intersections in all of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The two main reasons for its hazardousness are that long-haul trucks often like to take shortcuts, cutting north on the 29 to turn onto the I-64 and head west. Second, the roads are poorly lit, and drivers often cannot see other passenger cars—or even 18-wheelers—coming until it’s too late. And if you overreact or overcorrect when you do see the other vehicle, it can put you at further risk.

Why are intersections so dangerous?

Since intersections connect various counties and states and often occur in places where larger highways funnel into residential-sized roads, all types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, 18-wheelers, bicycles, and pedestrians, are present. Sometimes, the sheer number of vehicles that are bottlenecked at these intersections makes navigating them nearly impossible.

Driving at intersections requires experience and focus, as it is an often complex, high-stakes, and dangerous task. Not every accident can be prevented, but understanding the dangers and taking responsibility can help make intersections safe for all drivers.

Intersection accidents often occur due to the following:

• Traffic movement: Traffic moves in multiple directions at intersections, increasing the likelihood of collisions and crashes.
• DUI: Drunk drivers or those under the influence of drugs cause injuries but also fatalities at intersections. DUI is more common than many people think, as 3% of drivers drive drunk at any given time, with this number sharply increasing to 17% on weekend evenings.
• Fatigued driving: Falling asleep at the wheel contributes to crashes and injuries at intersections. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) designates work and rest requirements for large vehicle drivers to prevent fatigued driving.
• Distracted driving: Your eyes should be on the road, hands on the wheel, and focused on the single task of driving. A slight distraction from the road could cause a crash or collision.
• Poor management: Inadequate road management, bad lighting, and poor design also lead to crashes at intersections.
• Aggressive driving: Impatient and selfish drivers are also a major contributing factor to injuries and fatalities on the road.

Intersection accidents include rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, and side-impact accidents. If you believe your accident happened due to the negligence of other driver/s on the road, it is important to consult with a road accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contacting a personal injury lawyer immediately after an accident helps your case by ensuring all evidence and contributing factors are accounted for and that your case proceeds according to the statute of limitations.

The most dangerous roads in Charlottesville, VA

Seminole Trail

The four blocks of Seminole Trail, including the Rio Road intersection, have claimed several lives and injuries over the years. Not only is the intersection a nightmare, but cars veer off across multiple lanes to the entrances of large shopping centers. In 2024 alone, it saw 53 crash injuries and three fatalities.

Thomas Jefferson Parkway

Located in a once-rural area, Thomas Jefferson Parkway is now choked with heavy traffic due to rapid growth and poor road planning. The Parkway is part of Highway 53, which connects Charlottesville to Lake Monticello, another ever-growing subdivision of Fluvanna County. At one point, it experienced one fatality and 89 crashes.

Richmond Road

With 41 crashes in 2024, Richmond Road is another so-called “highway from hell.” Though the road is well-made and straight due to the ever-growing population in Crozet, the traffic is sometimes backed up approximately two miles from the bypass.

Intersection Seminole Trail and Hydraulic Road

Charlottesville Police complained that people speed up instead of slowing down at the yellow light at the intersection of Seminole Trail and Hydraulic Road (aka the 250 Bypass).

The aggressive behavior of the drivers and odd signal placements create a fender-bender hotbed on the 250 Bypass. Poor road management has pitted southbound and northbound drivers against each other, as they continuously juggle who crosses the intersection first. The 250 Bypass is an infamously dangerous road, with a staggering 68 crash injuries in 2019.

Other dangerous Richmond-area road statistics of note:

• Rockfish Gap Turnpike: 26 injuries
• Scottsville Road: 24 injuries, including two fatalities
• Ivy Road: 23 injuries
• Rio Road: 24 injuries
• Monacan Road: 19 injuries
• Lynchburg Road: 13 injuries, including a fatality

Avoid becoming a statistic

In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 44,000 deaths occurred due to car crashes in the United States. That equates to 120 car accident deaths per day, every day. As a driver, you can either take the responsibility to drive safely or risk becoming a statistic. Responsible, present driving can prevent many accidents and injuries on the road.

Here are a handful of key strategies to drive safely, especially on intersections and highways:

• Control speed: Slow driving will not kill you, but running a red light might. Speeding can only give you a minute or two advantage, even when driving across a city. Saving a couple of minutes is not worth risking your life over. Keep your speed under control on busy roads. Also, pay attention when lights turn green and do not immediately take off—someone might be trying to run the light.
• Use seatbelts: Seatbelts are one of the major preventive measures for accident-related injuries. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), about 90% of vehicle passengers use seatbelts, leaving the remaining 10% of people on the road far more vulnerable to injury in the event of a crash.
• Focus on the road: Don’t use electronic devices, take calls without using Bluetooth, play with the radio, or eat or drink while driving. By focusing solely on the road, you will do yourself and others a favor.
• Increased following distance: Keep a reasonable distance from vehicles ahead of you. This gives you plenty of time to take action during incidents. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) reported that 5% of truck crashes occur when commercial truck drivers follow a lead vehicle too closely.

What to do if you are in a car accident

While Federal traffic laws aim for safer roads, accidents continue to happen at intersections. Road accidents are life-altering. The emotional and physical suffering and pain can stick with you for extended periods of time. Add that to the financial strain, and it’s easy to see how your life can be seriously disrupted.

You don’t have to bear the burden of your auto accident alone. If you or your loved one have been in a road accident, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Richmond area car accident lawyers at Phelan & Petty at your earliest convenience. Call our office or complete our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.