Right Angle Crashes
Right angle crashes involve vehicles traveling on perpendicular streets when one driver fails to yield the right of way to the other.
65% of Right Angle crashes in Fort Collins occur at unsignalized intersections. The majority occur after a driver stops at a STOP sign but then proceeds when it is unsafe to do so.
Common Causes of Right Angle Crashes
- Limited Sight Distance
- Crossing or Making a Left Turn from a STOP at a Busy Cross Street
- Running a Red Light
Limited Sight Distance
Tip for Motorists:
- Pull slowly forward far enough to see past sight obstructions. Don’t assume it is clear. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks before pulling forward.
Crossing or Making a Left Turn from a STOP at a Busy Cross Street
Tip for Motorists:
- Be patient, don’t take risks due to long delays.
- Consider turning right instead of left if your patience is wearing thin.
- Plan alternate routes to avoid difficult intersections.
Running a Red Light
Red light running at signalized intersections accounts for 28% of right angle crashes in Fort Collins.
Tip for Motorists:
- Anticipate the end of a green light. Let off the accelerator and prepare to stop.
- Rain and snow increase stopping distances. Adjust your speed accordingly when approaching traffic signals.
- If you are stopped at a red light waiting, when the light turns green look left and right for red light runners before proceeding.
- Entering the intersection just as the red light starts or “pushing the yellow” light has serious safety implications. It is always unsafe to enter an intersection on a red light - even just a second or two after it turns red. See the Approach Turn Crash page for a discussion of this issue.
