Roswell: 70% of Crashes Not Speed in 2026

There’s a surprising amount of misinformation circulating about how intersection accidents occur and, more importantly, how to prevent them, particularly in areas like Roswell. Understanding the true dynamics of these collisions is essential for every driver, pedestrian, and cyclist working through our city streets.

Myth 1: Most Intersection Accidents Are Caused by Speeding

This is a pervasive belief, but the data tells a different story. While speeding certainly exacerbates the severity of any collision, it’s rarely the root cause of an intersection accident itself. The primary culprit is almost universally driver inattention. Think about it: how many times have you seen someone drift into an intersection while looking at their phone, or simply not paying attention to a changing light? According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), driver distraction contributes to over 70% of all intersection crashes in our state. This figure shows a critical point: a driver traveling at 25 mph who isn’t paying attention is far more dangerous at an intersection than one going 35 mph who is fully engaged. The focus on speed often distracts from the real issue. We see campaigns about reducing speed, which are important for overall road safety, but they sometimes overshadow the more insidious problem of distracted driving. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently points to failure to yield and disregarding traffic controls as leading factors in intersection crashes, both of which are direct results of inattention. It’s not just about what the speedometer says. It’s about what the driver is actually doing and seeing.

Myth 2: A Green Light Means You Have the Absolute Right of Way

Many drivers operate under the assumption that a green light grants them an unqualified right to proceed without hesitation. This is a dangerous misconception. While a green light indicates that you may proceed, it does not absolve you of the responsibility to ensure the intersection is clear and safe. Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. Section 40-6-71, explicitly states that even with a green signal, drivers must yield to vehicles or pedestrians already lawfully within the intersection. Consider the scenario of a driver making a left turn on a green light without a dedicated arrow. They must yield to oncoming traffic. Or, less commonly, a vehicle might still be clearing the intersection after a light change. A driver who barrels through a green light without looking can easily cause a T-bone collision, often with devastating consequences. The “right of way” is a fluid concept, always conditional on exercising due care. This is a point I often emphasize with clients involved in intersection accidents. Simply having a green light doesn’t automatically make you fault-free if you collide with another vehicle. The principle of reasonable care applies universally.

Myth 3: Roundabouts Are More Dangerous Than Traditional Intersections

When Roswell began implementing more roundabouts, particularly around areas like the Canton Street district and along Alpharetta Street, there was a fair amount of public apprehension. People often perceive them as confusing and inherently more dangerous due to their unfamiliarity. However, traffic engineering data consistently shows the opposite. Modern roundabouts are designed to reduce severe injury and fatal crashes by significant margins. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that converting traditional intersections to roundabouts can reduce fatal crashes by 90% and injury crashes by 75%. Why the dramatic improvement? Roundabouts eliminate left turns across oncoming traffic, which are a major cause of severe collisions at traditional intersections. They also force drivers to slow down, reducing the impact speed of any potential collision. Instead of right-angle impacts, which are highly dangerous, crashes in roundabouts are typically glancing blows at lower speeds. The Georgia Department of Transportation has actively promoted roundabout construction precisely because of these safety benefits. While there’s a learning curve for drivers, the statistical evidence is clear: roundabouts are a safer, more efficient intersection design.

Myth 4: Advanced Vehicle Safety Features Make Intersections Foolproof

New vehicles are increasingly equipped with sophisticated safety technologies like automatic emergency braking (AEB), cross-traffic alerts, and intersection assist systems. Many drivers mistakenly believe these features make them invincible or significantly reduce their personal responsibility at intersections. While these technologies are undoubtedly valuable and contribute to overall road safety, they are driver-assist systems, not autonomous driving solutions. They are designed to assist the driver, not replace them. For example, an AEB system might detect a potential front-end collision at an intersection and apply the brakes, but it relies on sensor data that can be obstructed, confused by complex traffic scenarios, or simply have limitations. A study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that AEB systems reduced front-to-rear crashes by 50% but had a more modest impact on intersection crashes, primarily because the dynamics are more complex, involving multiple directions of travel. Relying solely on these systems rather than maintaining active awareness is a recipe for disaster. The driver remains the ultimate safety mechanism, and technology should be seen as a helpful backup, not a primary defense.

Myth 5: You Can’t Be Held Liable if Another Driver Ran a Red Light

This is another area where legal nuance often surprises people. While it’s true that the driver who runs a red light is typically the primary at-fault party, the concept of comparative negligence in Georgia means that fault can be apportioned among multiple parties. Under O.C.G.A. Section 51-12-33, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for an accident, you may be barred from recovering damages. Even if you are less than 50% at fault, your recovery amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Imagine a situation where another driver clearly blew through a red light, but you were simultaneously speeding excessively or failed to use your turn signal, contributing to the collision. An investigation might determine that while the other driver was 80% at fault, your actions contributed 20%. This means that even though they ran the light, your ability to recover damages would be reduced by 20%. It’s a stark reminder that every driver has a duty to drive safely and defensively, regardless of the actions of others. The legal system looks at the full picture of how an accident occurred, not just one contributing factor. Understanding the true causes and legal implications of intersection accidents in Roswell is not just about avoiding citations. It’s about safeguarding lives. By debunking common myths, we can foster a more informed and in the end safer driving culture on our roads.