Car accidents are an unwelcome reality of living in a city like Rochester, NY, where traffic can be heavy and winter seems to last three seasons. Knowing where the car accident hot spots are around Rochester can save you time during your commute, and maybe even prevent you from being in a car accident yourself. Let’s look at the top 10 car accident hotspots in Rochester:

1. Monroe Avenue

Monroe Avenue is one of the main roads running through Rochester, NY, and unfortunately is the site of numerous accidents because of its high traffic volume. Monroe Avenue connects downtown Rochester to suburbs like Brighton and Pittsford, making it the go-to choice for commuters and locals. Car accidents are frequent given the heavy traffic flow, especially during rush hours.

Key Problem Areas:

• Monroe Avenue and Goodman Street: This intersection sees a large volume of traffic turning, pedestrians, and cyclists, which increases the chances of accidents.
• Monroe Avenue and Alexander Street: Rear-end collisions and sideswipes are common here due to congestion with the number of bars, shops, and businesses.

Monroe Avenue is one of the highest areas of consistent pedestrian traffic in Rochester, which in turn contributes to the increased number of pedestrian-involved accidents.

2. West Henrietta Road (Route 15)

West Henrietta Road, or Route 15, is another major roadway connecting Rochester to the southern suburbs. Accidents are a common occurrence near the major retail hubs and shopping plazas with stores that shoppers travel to. The combination of local shoppers, commuters, and trucks creates a high volume of traffic, especially during weekends and holidays.

Key Problem Areas:

• Marketplace Mall entrances: Left-turn collisions and rear-end accidents frequently occur as drivers try to enter and exit the mall.
• Intersection of West Henrietta Road and Jefferson Road: Lane merges and turning movements contribute to crashes.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has found in several studies that intersections near commercial zones like West Henrietta Road are more likely to see accidents.

3. Interstate 490 (I-490)

Interstate 490 crosses the entirety of Rochester city limits and is a major route for commuters and long-distance travelers. I-490 connects to other highways, such as Interstate 390 and Interstate 590, and most significantly, I-90, making it a busy route any time of day. The combination of high-speed traffic and lane changes during peak travel hours makes it a hotbed for car accidents.

Key Problem Areas:

• I-490/I-390 interchange: The merging of lanes at this interchange leads to rear-end collisions and sideswipes.
• I-490 near the Inner Loop exit: Traffic congestion and sudden stops at this exit contribute to frequent crashes.

During the winter months, when snow and ice are present, accidents on I-490 increase due to reduced visibility and slippery road conditions.

4. East Avenue

East Avenue is a downtown magnet for activity in Rochester that runs parallel to Monroe Avenue. It runs through residential areas and provides access to all different types of businesses, making it a busy route for both drivers and pedestrians from all over. Traffic congestion, particularly at certain intersections, makes this a common area for accidents.

Key Problem Areas:

• East Avenue and Culver Road: This is a high-traffic intersection where left turns and rear-end accidents are common.
• East Avenue and Alexander Street: The proximity to bars and restaurants in this area leads to accidents, often involving impaired drivers.

Pedestrian traffic is a significant concern in this area, as many people cross East Avenue to access local businesses.

5. Lake Avenue

Lake Avenue runs from downtown Rochester to Ontario Beach Park and is a main thoroughfare for residents and tourists alike. During the summer, traffic increases as people visit Ontario Beach Park, leading to an uptick in accidents.

Key Problem Areas:

• Lake Avenue near Kodak Park: The presence of industrial traffic combined with commuter traffic leads to a higher incidence of accidents.
• Lake Avenue near Charlotte High School: This area sees both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, increasing the risk of collisions, particularly during school hours.

Accidents on Lake Avenue are often caused by speeding and distracted driving, particularly during peak summer months when traffic volume is at its highest.

6. Clinton Avenue

Clinton Avenue is a north-south road that runs through both commercial and residential areas in Rochester. Its intersections are busy, and the heavy mix of pedestrian and vehicle traffic creates challenging conditions for drivers. Several accident-prone areas on Clinton Avenue contribute to its reputation as one of Rochester’s most dangerous streets.

Key Problem Areas:

• Clinton Avenue and Main Street: Accidents often occur at this intersection due to vehicles failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians or making illegal turns.
• Clinton Avenue and Goodman Street: This intersection has frequent traffic signal violations, leading to T-bone collisions and rear-end crashes.

Distracted driving is a major factor in accidents along Clinton Avenue, as drivers often navigate through dense traffic and busy intersections.

7. Lyell Avenue

Lyell Avenue is a heavily traveled street, particularly by large trucks and delivery vehicles serving local businesses. This contributes to its reputation as a high-risk area for vehicle collisions, especially at busy intersections where vehicles frequently make turns across traffic.

Key Problem Areas:

• Lyell Avenue and Mount Read Boulevard: This is a particularly dangerous intersection, where heavy commercial traffic and vehicles merging or turning cause frequent accidents.
• Lyell Avenue and Dewey Avenue: Left-hand turns and cross-traffic at this intersection contribute to a high number of crashes.

Lyell Avenue also experiences an increase in accidents during the afternoon rush hour when congestion is at its peak.

8. Mount Hope Avenue

Mount Hope Avenue runs through a busy area that includes the University of Rochester, the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Strong Memorial Hospital. This leads to a mix of vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist traffic, particularly near the university, creating the potential for accidents.

Key Problem Areas:

• Mount Hope Avenue near Strong Memorial Hospital: Accidents often occur here as vehicles stop and start frequently due to the heavy flow of traffic, including buses and emergency vehicles.
• Mount Hope Avenue near College Town: The high volume of pedestrian traffic, combined with drivers unfamiliar with the area, increases the risk of crashes.

Accidents on Mount Hope Avenue often involve pedestrians or cyclists, which can result in more severe injuries.

9. Winton Road

Winton Road is another high-traffic area, particularly between Main Street and the Brighton suburb. This road sees a high volume of cars during rush hours, and its many intersections contribute to its status as a common location for accidents.

Key Problem Areas:

• Winton Road and Elmwood Avenue: This intersection is particularly busy, and the volume of cars frequently results in rear-end collisions.
• Winton Road and Blossom Road: Lane merges and turning movements make this a hazardous area for drivers.

Winter weather conditions, including snow and ice, increase the risks of driving on Winton Road, leading to a higher rate of accidents during the colder months.

10. Chili Avenue (Route 33A)

Chili Avenue is a major east-west route that connects Rochester to the suburbs. It sees a large amount of daily traffic, including both residential and commercial vehicles. The combination of high-speed traffic and busy intersections contributes to frequent accidents along this road.

Key Problem Areas:

• Chili Avenue and Howard Road: This intersection is particularly prone to left-turn collisions and rear-end accidents.
• Chili Avenue near Wegmans Plaza: The high volume of cars entering and exiting the shopping plaza leads to frequent fender benders and T-bone collisions.

According to data from the NYSDOT, accidents along Chili Avenue are often the result of speeding and distracted driving, particularly during peak shopping hours and holiday seasons.

Conclusion

These 10 locations are some of the most common areas for car accidents in Rochester, NY. While factors like heavy traffic, complex intersections, and high pedestrian activity contribute to the frequency of accidents, many are caused by driver behavior, including speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving.

If you have been involved in an accident at any of these locations, it’s important to seek the guidance of a lawyer right away. With one simple phone call, you could be speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney at Horn Wright, LLP, to begin working on your case. Call our firm now.