Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Augusta, GA

Posted: June 25, 2024/Under: Dangerous Roads/By: Make Roads Safe

Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Augusta, GA

Augusta, the second-largest city in Georgia, has many roads that connect all parts of its 237 square miles to greater Richmond County. Not all of these roads experience the same number of car accidents in Augusta each year — some see few, if any, while others present a daily hazard for the pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists who use them.

Knowing which roads pose the greatest risk is essential for staying safe in the city. The more dangerous the road, the more care and vigilance you should exercise when using it. However, Augusta’s dangerous roads aren’t labeled as such, which means residents and visitors might not know which ones to approach with increased caution.

This post will identify five of the most dangerous roadways to watch for when traveling in and around Augusta.

Augusta Crash Accident Statistics

Over 8,700 traffic accidents occurred in Augusta in 2022. This included 39 fatal crashes and collisions that injured 2,861 others. These numbers are slightly lower than 2021’s statistics. That year saw 9,604 total crashes, with 37 resulting in fatalities.

What Makes a Road Dangerous?

Engineers don’t purposefully design highways and streets to be dangerous. However, the risk of a crash goes up when one or more of the following factors are present.

High Speeds

Elevated speeds present a significant risk for traffic collisions, including those that injure or kill those involved. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the less time the driver has to avoid a hazard that suddenly appears in their path. Higher speeds also mean more extreme collision forces.

As such, roads where motorists are permitted to drive at higher speeds tend to be more dangerous.

Various Forms of Traffic From Multiple Directions

To avoid collisions, drivers must keep a lookout for others using or crossing the road. This is simple enough when road use is characterized by motor vehicle traffic all traveling in the same direction. 

However, this task becomes far more difficult when pedestrians and bicyclists are also using the road or vehicles are entering and exiting at various angles.

Construction Zones

Work zones present drivers with numerous distractions. Some motorists may be frustrated by the slow pace of traffic and might not give their full attention to other drivers or heavy equipment on the road. Even if they do, roads under construction can be uneven, presenting challenges for drivers seeking to keep control of their vehicles.

Traffic Congestion

Finally, roads with higher traffic volumes present a greater risk of collisions for the simple reason that there are more vehicles sharing the same space. If other factors, like high speeds or construction, are also present, the risk of a collision on these roads increases considerably.

6 Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Augusta

In light of the above factors and others, you should exercise extra caution when traveling on the following six roads:

1. Washington Road Near I-20

One of the most dangerous intersections in Augusta can be found near Washington Road and Interstate 20. From 2018 to 2022, more than 2,000 collisions occurred at or near this intersection. Overall, 5 people died in crashes at this location, and another 11 were seriously hurt. 

2. Deans Bridge Road Near I-520

Between 2018 and 2022, the busy intersection at Deans Bridge Road and Interstate 520 (also known as Bobby Jones Expressway) saw 816 wrecks, with an average of over 100 per year. While the majority of these accidents produced minor or no injuries, at least 5 resulted in serious injuries.

3. Gordon Highway at Wheeless Road

The intersection of these two roads witnessed 250 crashes from 2018 to 2022. In total, 2 people died during this period, and 47 others are estimated to have suffered some level of injury. The remaining 201 accidents resulted in no injuries. Overall, an average of 50 accidents happened at this intersection alone over this period.

4. Peach Orchard Road and I-520

While there were no fatalities in this area from 2018 to 2022, some 1,469 accidents, including over 1,100 property damage-only accidents, did occur. That means about 300 crashes of all types happen each year in this area. Both I-520 and Peach Orchard Road are major thoroughfares that contain fast-moving and often congested traffic.

5. Deans Bridge Road and Gordon Highway

A significant number of accidents happen along each of these roads each year. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that hundreds of crashes have taken place where the two roads converge. At least 400 accidents have happened at or near this interchange between 2018 and 2022, with at least 2 people losing their lives.

6. Mike Padgett Highway and Bobby Jones Expressway

Interstate 520 is the site of hundreds of crashes each year, many of which are minor or cause only minor injuries. This includes the 431 accidents that occurred where Bobby Jones Expressway intersects with Mike Padgett Highway from 2018 to 2022. This area alone records an average of nearly 70 accidents per year.

Roads To Be Cautious On

From the list above, it’s clear that if you’re traveling on Bobby Jones Expressway or Gordon Highway, you should exercise extreme caution. This caution is warranted due to the number of crashes for which both roads provide a backdrop.

Other roads that saw a notable number of accidents between 2018 and 2022 include:

It’s crucial to remember that accidents can happen anywhere in Augusta. Just because you aren’t traveling on one of these roads doesn’t mean you can afford to let your guard down. Because of their history of crashes, however, these roads demand extra attention.

Navigating Augusta’s Dangerous Roads Safely

Knowing where crashes have occurred in the past and what factors tend to contribute to wrecks can help you avoid becoming a victim.

It’s wise to practice safe driving on all roads by watching your speed, keeping your distance from other vehicles, and eliminating distractions. These behaviors become even more important when you find yourself on I-520, Gordon Highway, or any of the other potentially lethal roads in Augusta.