Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, known as the “corridor of death,” is consistently rated as the most dangerous road in Pennsylvania and one of the most dangerous in the entire country. The City of Philadelphia has the highest rate of traffic-related deaths in the nation, and Roosevelt Boulevard is the top contributor.
Roosevelt Boulevard is 14 miles of poorly designed 12-lane highway slicing through Northeast Philadelphia through residential neighborhoods and congested business and shopping districts to the city border. Thousands of car accidents occur on Roosevelt Boulevard each year, as well as 13 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in Philadelphia.
Approximately 90,000 vehicles travel on Roosevelt Boulevard every day, and its confusing traffic patterns, oversized intersections, and numerous lane changes can be difficult for drivers and pedestrians to manage. Roosevelt Boulevard is dangerous for many reasons, including:
- Insufficient width to accommodate the daily volume of traffic.
- Numerous lane changes and traffic patterns.
- Confusing access points, including driveways, shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and more.
- Complex non-perpendicular intersections with confusing turn lanes and traffic patterns.
- Oversized crosswalks improperly timed to traffic lights that often strand pedestrians amongst moving traffic.
- Lack of sidewalks on nearly half of the 14-mile highway, forcing pedestrians and cyclists into vehicle lanes.
- Slow bus traffic, making frequent stops and holding up traffic flow.
- Drag racing after nightfall.
Is Philadelphia Addressing the Dangers of Roosevelt Boulevard?
The City conducted a study and determined that most car accidents on Roosevelt Boulevard were caused by speeding. In 2020, Philadelphia became the first city in Pennsylvania to install automated speed cameras throughout Roosevelt Boulevard to automatically ticket motorists driving 11 or more miles per hour over the speed limit.
The move has been successful, significantly reducing the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths by 95 percent, much higher than any subsequent camera installations in other municipalities. Despite the improvements, however, Roosevelt Boulevard continues to retain its title as the most dangerous road in Philadelphia.
Additional changes are planned, including redesigning part of the road to extend and realign curbs for safer pedestrian walkways, with potential construction starting in 2027. Roosevelt Boulevard transverses some of Philadelphia’s most diverse and poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The city is vying for new federal funding that provides $5 billion for safety improvements to predominantly minority neighborhoods based on a disproportionate 23 percent increase in nationwide African American traffic fatalities.
What Should I Do After an Accident on Roosevelt Boulevard?
Knowing what to do following a car accident can help preserve evidence and provide valuable information for your injury claim. If you are physically able, you should take the following steps:
- Report the accident and injuries to police.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Limit conversation so what you say cannot be held against you later.
- Photograph the scene, damage, and injuries.
- Gather contact information and statements from witnesses.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Maintain all records and communication related to the accident and your injuries.
- Consult an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer to help you with your claim and seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Help Clients Fight for Justice and Compensation
Suffering injuries in a car accident can alter your life and leave you facing medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a negligent driver has injured you, our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries and losses. Call today at 215-569-8488 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.