Crashes impact not only those involved but also other drivers who may be snarled in traffic.
WRAL Investigates filed a public records request with the North Carolina Department of Transportation [NCDOT] for a list of the 10 intersections in Wake County with the most crashes.
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According to the list provided by the NCDOT, the intersection of Interstate 40 and State Road 1002 (Aviation Parkway) had more crashes than any other state-maintained road in the county in the first half of this year, with a total of 44 crashes. The DOT's metrics include crashes within 150 feet of each intersection.
In a trip out to the intersection, WRAL Investigates found pieces of cars covering the medians and grass.
Drivers in the area of Aviation Parkway were not surprised it came out as number one.
"You're dealing with a lot of people coming back and forth from the airport," Bryan Brown said.
In fact, Brown said he had been involved in a crash in that area several years ago. He noted the crashes' impact spanned beyond those not involved.
"There's a lot of rubberneckers," he said. "The people looking at a crash and they impede the speed of the traffic."
I-440 and Capital Boulevard, I-440 and Glenwood Avenue, and I-440 and Wake Forest Road were in spots two, three, and four, with anywhere from 37 to 41 crashes in the six-month time span. I-40 and Saunders Street, along with Capital Boulevard tied for fifth-most crashes.
Kim Deaner, Public Information Officer for the DOT, said the intersections that made the top 10 list are high-traffic areas. Although they have the most crashes, they do not necessarily have the most deadly or serious crashes.
"We see these crashes at these locations, and what we’re looking for: Is there a pattern?" Deaner said. "Are they mainly rear-end crashes? Do we have any injuries with these crashes?
“We are looking to reduce injuries and reduce fatalities. We’re always going to work to try to change behavior so that someone coming off the interstate is paying a little closer attention. We would love there to be zero crashes."
Deaner noted the NCDOT has finite financial resources for a large network of roads across the state.
"We use a data-driven process to make sure that we’re spending money at locations that provide the highest safety benefit for the traveling public," she said.
Deaner pointed to one example of what the NCDOT deems a success story: The intersection of Old South Road and Penny Road. Formerly a trouble spot, NCDOT made design changes to the roads and has seen positive results.
"In this particular intersection ... crashes are down 91%,” Deaner said.
WRAL Investigates asked what improvements are planned at the intersections with the most crashes.
Deaner said many projects are in the works, including adding more lanes and upgrading signals.
Here is the full explanation provided by the NCDOT about upcoming changes:
- Interstate 40 at Aviation has a project that will construct an auxiliary lane on I-40 between Harrison Avenue and Aviation Parkway. This will give drivers an extra lane.
- At I-440 and Glenwood Avenue, there is a project that has been funded and is currently in design. It will upgrade the traffic signal to provide pedestrian and signal heads and add crosswalks.
- Wake Forest Road at I-440 has a project that will update the whole interchange, and it is set for construction in 2029.
- We have a project at I-540 and Capital Boulevard that will completely make that a new interchange. This is our Capital Boulevard project.
- South Saunders at I-40 has a project that will upgrade both ramp traffic signals to provide pedestrian signal heads and add crosswalks.
- At I-440 and Lake Boone Trail, there are two projects, one with the city of Raleigh and the other is our project, which will add more lanes for traffic at the Lake Boone Trail interchange and install ramp meters.
- Two projects near N.C. 55 and Judd Parkway will have a positive impact on traffic patterns and provide some relief from congestion. One project will include improvements to N.C. 55 intersection with N.C. 42, and construction of a connector from N.C. 55 to Judd Parkway and the other will improve safety along N.C. 55/U.S. 401 just east of the intersection. Construction is set to start this year.
Intersections with most crashes during the first half of 2025 in Wake County:
| Rank | Number of crashes | Road A | Road B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | I-40 | State Road 1002 (Aviation Parkway) |
| 2 | 41 | I-440 | Capital Boulevard |
| 3 | 38 | I-440 | Glenwood Avenue |
| 4 | 37 | I-440 | Wake Forest Road |
| 5 | 36 | I-40 | Saunders Street |
| 6 | 36 | I-540 | Capital Boulevard |
| 7 | 34 | Brier Creek Parkway | Glenwood Avenue |
| 8 | 33 | I-440 | Lake Boone Trail |
| 9 | 30 | Glenwood Avenue | TW Alexander Road |
| 10 | 29 | North Carolina Highway 55 | Judd Parkway |