Most Dangerous Roads in Clearwater, FL
Clearwater, Florida, is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant community. However, traffic congestion and dangerous roads can make this paradise anything but. There are several infamous roads and intersections with a high rate of serious car accidents in Clearwater, FL. Being aware of these areas can help drivers stay safe.
Most Dangerous Roads In Clearwater, Florida
Several major roads and intersections in Clearwater are hotspots for serious accidents. The Safe Streets Pinellas Action Plan identified a High-Injury Network of 3% of the county’s roads where 40% of serious and fatal crashes happen. Here are the most dangerous roads in Clearwater where you should exercise caution.
US-19
According to a study by ConsumerAffairs, US-19 was the most dangerous road in Pinellas County and Pasco County based on crash data from 2020 to 2022. In Pinellas County, including Clearwater, there were 94 deaths on US-19. The stretch of highway in Pasco County saw 68 deaths.
The stretch through Pinellas County was ranked the most dangerous in Florida by county. The entire stretch of US-19 was ranked the sixth most dangerous in Florida with 217 deaths.
What makes US-19 so dangerous? It actually has lower-than-average rates for three of the most common contributing factors in fatal crashes:
- Fatalities involving drinking: 13% (12) versus 18% statewide
- Fatalities involving speeding: 4% (4) versus 10% statewide
- Fatalities involving distracted driving: 7% (7) versus 8% statewide
US-19 is a six-lane divided highway known for a high rate of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents. It was recently ranked America’s most dangerous road for pedestrians. Of the top 60 hotspots in the U.S., seven are along U.S. 19 with 34 pedestrian fatalities for every 100 miles. It has a high volume of traffic, many intersections that create opportunities for collisions, and inadequate infrastructure for pedestrians or cyclists.
The most dangerous intersections along US-19 include:
- US-19 & Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. There were 660 crashes here between 2015 and 2019.
- US-19 & Drew Street
- U.S. 19 & Sunset Point Road
The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve US-19 by reducing traffic. The road design will be changed and a pedestrian bridge and underpass will be added. The project is expected to be completed in 2029.
State Road 60
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is the stretch of SR 60 is the main east-west corridor in Clearwater stretching from S Highland Avenue to Tampa Bay. It’s lined with restaurants, shops, and popular businesses.
Because it’s a major road, Gulf-to-Bay Blvd naturally has a higher number of crashes than less congested areas. It also crosses US-19, the county’s most dangerous road.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway is a 9.5-mile bridge over Tampa Bay that carries SR 60 from Clearwater to Tampa. It’s a major hotspot for crashes which can shut down the entire causeway.
Belcher Road
This north-south road intersects with several busy streets, contributing to its higher accident rate. Pedestrian accidents are very common along Belcher Road. Two intersections in particular stand out for high crash rates:
- Belcher Road & Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. There were 542 accidents between 2015 and 2019. It’s particularly dangerous for left-hand turns.
- Belcher Road & Drew Street
There have been many changes proposed to improve the safety of the Gulf-to-Bay Blvd and Belcher Rd intersection. One proposal was to eliminate left turns completely and have drivers make only right turns or U-turns. However, the county has paused making changes to the intersection after a decade of attempted improvements.
Staying Safe In Clearwater
Whether you’re visiting or living in Clearwater, you can stay safe by exercising caution along the city’s busy roadways and intersections. As a pedestrian, avoid crossing busy roads like US-19 and be extra cautious using intersections and crosswalks in high-traffic areas.
As a driver, stay alert and maintain a safe following distance. Don’t cut across multiple lanes of traffic. Busy intersections in Clearwater can be confusing if you aren’t familiar with the area. Don’t make last-minute, dangerous maneuvers; it’s okay to miss your turn and turn around when it’s safe to do so.