Washington DC’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Do you remember Dave Thomas Circle? This informal name for the infamously irregular intersection of New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, Northeast, was attributed to the bizarre placement of a Wendy’s fast food franchise at its nexus, as Dave Thomas was the iconic founder of Wendy’s. The resulting traffic flow made this intersection one of the most dangerous in the DC area for pedestrians and drivers alike. While it has since been successfully redeveloped, Dave Thomas Circle lives on as an example of how urban infrastructure can end up hostile to drivers and pedestrians alike, and as a beloved DC area in-joke. As our month of focus on pedestrian safety draws to a close, we’d like to contribute to the ongoing discussion around DC’s pedestrian infrastructure with a blog post about our region’s most dangerous intersections.
A Note on Criteria and Methodology
According to Walk Score dot com, which evaluates communities on their ease of navigation by foot, on bicycles, or by public transit, Washington DC is generally quite walkable. Walk Score ranks DC as America’s 5th most walkable large city.
However, according to 2023 reporting by The Washington Post, pedestrian injuries are testing historic highs. In 2023, the District saw 400 pedestrian injuries and 14 fatalities. While efforts from the DC Department of Transportation are ongoing to abate these tragic accidents, the danger does persist. We here at Malloy Law Offices value our friends and neighbors that serve Washington DC as public employees. Our intention is not to scold or admonish, but merely to inform our readership of potential danger.
Washington DC’s Most Dangerous Intersections
7th Street and H Street NW (Chinatown)
With Capital One Arena, the shops and restaurants of Chinatown, the museums of Gallery Place, and a major Metro rail station all within a few blocks of this intersection in the heart of downtown DC, constant high volumes of foot traffic are inevitable. In addition, this part of town draws constant out of town tourist traffic. These pedestrians may be unfamiliar with the layout of downtown and the metro rail system let alone the flow of traffic, which can prove both dense and unpredictable with six total lanes converging. The start stop of downtown traffic can cause drivers to rush, and the crush of game day or concert night pedestrian traffic can cause pedestrians to jaywalk or rush. A volatile combination, to say the least!
14th Street and U Street NW
The U Street corridor boasts both cultural history, especially for DC’s African American community, and a modern reputation for vibrant nightlife. While the DOT has already identified this intersection as a problem area and attempted to implement safety measures, such as turn restrictions at peak foot traffic hours, these efforts can only do so much against the recklessness of excited and sometimes inebriated revelers. Making responsible decisions, even when your judgement may be impaired, goes a long way towards keeping yourself safe around our area’s most dangerous intersections.
Georgia Avenue and Petworth Street NW
In perhaps the most simple example on our list, this intersection in the developing neighborhood of Petworth has grown more dangerous as the surrounding area sees increased development and economic activity. Georgia Avenue is a major arterial route bringing traffic in and out of the city, which means dense traffic, particularly at rush hour. Furthermore, proximity to the Petworth metro station feeds this area with a steady flow of pedestrians. Hopefully as neighborhood development continues, changes will eventually take place to make this area safer for pedestrians.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, Malloy Law may be able to help. Our firm is home to the DMV’s pedestrian accident specialists. We’ll evaluate your case free of charge and plot a path towards maximum compensation on your behalf. Don’t face the aftermath of a pedestrian accident on your own. Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case.