Broward County is located in the Southeast section of Florida, and is best known as the location of Fort Lauderdale. According to a report in the Sun Sentinel in January 2013, traffic deaths in Broward rose in 2012 to 171 from 154 in 2011 (articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-01-07/news/fl-traffic-deaths-20130102_1_traffic-deaths-traffic-fatalities-traffic-safety). Although some believe the increase was due to the lack of distracted driver laws in the state, some believe that it may be due to these ten dangerous roads located in the county.
- Flamingo Road
In 2001, State Farm Insurance found that 357 accidents occurred during a study of the intersection of Flamingo Road and Pines Boulevard on Road 823. C.B. Smith Park, Pembroke Lakes Mall, two shopping center and a hospital are located there. The report led the city to make changes such as lengthening the turning lanes and adding red light cameras.
- I-95 South
During the past five years, more than 20,000 accidents occurred in a 42-mile stretch of I-95 in Florida, a portion of which travels through Broward County. These accidents resulted in 163 deaths and far more injuries. From 2004 through 2008, the stretch of highway was deemed the most dangerous highway in the country.
- Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley, more commonly known as Everglades Parkway, has not lived up to the prediction that it would better suit alligators than cars. In 2004, records showed a death rate of 1.5 people per one million vehicles traveling on the road, and, since 1986, more than 150 people have died on Alligator Alley.
- Kernan Road
The intersection of Kernan Road where Beach and Atlantic meet is listed as one of the most dangerous in Florida. According to the sheriff’s office, there were 353 crashes in a 22-month period in 2007-2008.
- University Boulevard
An intersection similar to the one located on Kernan Road is one located at Beach and University Boulevard where drivers often must wait through multiple light changes, resulting in red-light running. In addition, drivers often switch lanes in order to move faster only to come to a stop a few yards ahead, leading to confusion and accidents.
- Firestone Road
An intersection located at 103rd Street and Firestone Roads is also one of Broward County’s most dangerous, as drivers cut in and out of traffic. In addition, drivers must inch into oncoming traffic from a turning lane after exiting Interstate 295 South.
- Liberty Street
Drivers often speed when coming off of Mathews Bridge and run red lights on Liberty Street, especially at the intersection of State and Union Streets. Red light cameras are helping to address the problem.
- State Route 84
Although it is now primarily a service road to for Interstate 595, State Route 84, known as Marina Mile Boulevard, in Broward County consists of a four-lane highway that travels through a neighborhood and is the site of multiple accidents due to merging and lane change errors.
- Davie Road
In 2011, there were 4,489 crashes in the Town of Davie with eight deaths and 1,312 injuries. To address the problem, the town added red-light cameras to catch those who were failing to stop at traffic signals.
- Florida Turnpike
Although the state of Florida has named the Florida Turnpike the “Less Stressway,” the road is one of the most dangerous in Broward County. Traffic travels at high speeds, sometimes more than 80 miles per hour, and accidents often result in fatalities.
Although there are many dangerous roads and intersections throughout Broward County and Florida, these are some of the most dangerous in the area.