Study Reveals Wake County Intersections With Highest Crash Counts

WRAL Investigates reviewed crash data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation that lists the 10 Wake County intersections with the most reported collisions during the first half of 2025. Among state maintained roads in the county, the intersection of I 40 and Aviation Parkway, State Road 1002, had the highest crash count with 44 collisions in the period examined. The data provide a snapshot of where traffic safety resources are being focused and what drivers should avoid during peak times.

The report also explains how NCDOT compiles crash totals for state maintained locations and summarizes the most common collision types seen at these intersections. Rear end and angle collisions were prominent in the dataset, patterns that often point to signal timing issues, sudden stops, limited sight lines, or high turning volumes. Those patterns are used by engineers to prioritize countermeasures and to design targeted safety interventions.

State and local transportation agencies are weighing a mix of short term and longer term responses. Quick measures under discussion include signal timing adjustments, improved lighting, and clearer signage. Middling investments such as repaving and turn lane construction are planned for several corridors. Where collisions repeat in identifiable ways, agencies plan targeted safety engineering projects that can change lane geometry, add medians, or reconfigure movements. Larger intersection redesigns and projects that require additional right of way are expected to take years to deliver, in part because of funding cycles and property acquisition timelines.

Transportation officials describe budget constraints and right of way limits as key factors shaping the pace and scope of improvements. Some countermeasures can be implemented relatively quickly, while comprehensive redesigns require extended planning, public outreach, environmental review, and construction phases. For Wake County residents this means some intersections may see immediate changes that reduce collisions, while others will be addressed through long range plans.

For drivers the data point to corridors to be cautious about during morning and evening peaks. WRAL encourages commuters to allow extra travel time, consider alternate routes when possible, and follow notices about planned work. Local governments and NCDOT are collecting community input for major projects, and public meetings and comment periods will shape final designs and timelines. The reporting aims to help residents understand where risks are concentrated and how safety improvements will be prioritized in the months and years ahead.