The project—launched by Houston attorney Brian White in a partnership with the data visualization company 1Point21 Interactive—uses more than 2 million accident reports compiled between 2012 and 2015.
According to TxDOT, an intersection related crash takes place when the first harmful event occurs on an approach to, or exit from, an intersection and results from an activity or behavior related to the movement of traffic through the intersection. This definition includes intersections of freeways—their on-ramps off-ramps and service streets—as well as major thoroughfares and country roads.
In the Greater Tomball area, the most dangerous intersections all involved Hwy. 249 and various cross streets.
Here are the top 4 most dangerous intersections in the Tomball area:
- Hwy. 249 at FM 1960
City: Houston
Total crashes: 147
- Hwy. 249 at Northpointe Blvd.
City: Tomball
Total crashes: 87
- Hwy. 249 at Beltway 8
City: Houston
Total crashes: 60
- Hwy. 249 at Spring Cypress Road
City: Tomball
Total crashes: 78
The Greater Houston area dominated the list with a total of 82 dangerous intersections, defined in the study as intersections with more than 48 crashes between 2012 and 2015. Houston was followed by San Antonio with 36 dangerous intersections, Dallas with 34 and Lubbock with 26.
The most dangerous intersection in Houston is Beltway 8 at Bissonnet Street, which had 335 crashes and 263 injuries.
Researchers noted a 42 percent increase in intersection accidents in Houston between 2012 and 2015, from 21,524 to 30,583.
“Whether it’s due to the rapid population growth, the never ending road construction or a combination of other factors, Houston is in the midst of a traffic crises,” the report concluded.
The statewide project can be found online in its entirety here.
