Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Ocala, FL

Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Ocala, FL

According to Florida’s law enforcement agencies, drivers in Ocala cause about 5,500 car accidents, 190 motorcycle accidents, 140 pedestrian accidents, and 60 bicycle accidents every year. These traffic accidents produce about 13 injuries every day. Additionally, roughly one person dies in a traffic accident every three days.

For a city of just 61,000 residents, Ocala can be a dangerous place to drive, bike, motorcycle, or even walk. Some intersections and roads have a notorious reputation for heavy traffic and frequent accidents.

Here are some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Ocala, FL.

Freeway Exits

I-75 provides a quick way for residents to travel north and south along the west side of Ocala. The interstate provides a relatively safe route for motorists and motorcycle riders.

But the exits from I-75 often get jammed up during rush hour. The crowded exit ramps and intersections near the exits provide the perfect conditions for a car accident.

I-75 and Silver Springs Boulevard

The exit from I-75 at Silver Springs Boulevard brings freeway traffic to one of Ocala’s busiest streets. With only two lanes of traffic in each direction on Silver Springs, impatient drivers and crowded roads combine to create dangerous conditions for motorists and motorcycle riders alike.

I-75 and Blitchton Road

Blitchton Road connects several large residential neighborhoods in the west to central Ocala. The exit from I-75 at Blitchton Road adds to the traffic on Blitchton Road, making this intersection one of Ocala’s most dangerous places for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

I-75 and College Road

With three lanes of traffic in each direction, College Road provides one of Ocala’s main thoroughfares. Development in the area near I-75 has added stress to this major road. Shopping centers, motels, and the College of Central Florida campus make College Road one of Ocala’s busiest streets.

The interchange with I-75 is large. Although the exit has undergone recent construction, it can still experience bottlenecks during rush hour. The stop-and-go traffic on College Road and the crowded conditions at the interchange create the right conditions for car, truck, and motorcycle accidents to occur frequently.

Highways

In addition to the interstate freeway, several highways pass through Ocala. These highways are more dangerous than the interstate because they allow travelers to move at highway speeds, although there are still cross-traffic patterns.

Pine Avenue and SW 17th Street

Pine Avenue — also designated as US-301, US-441, and US-27 — moves traffic efficiently north and south through the heart of Ocala. From Pine Avenue, you can reach historic downtown Ocala, the courthouse, and Ocala Regional Medical Center.

Pine Avenue intersects SW 17th Street near shopping centers, restaurants, and two major medical centers. Traffic on Pine Avenue is usually heavy from NW 3rd Street all the way down to SW 17th Street. Traffic on SW 17th Street is usually heavy from Pine Avenue to Magnolia Avenue. 

The intersection of these two heavily traveled streets makes this area the most common site of car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents in Ocala.

College Road and SW 27th Avenue

As mentioned previously, College Road provides access to shopping, restaurants, medical offices, and the college campus. At SW 27th Avenue, all of these things come together to create a traffic nightmare.

The intersection of College Road and SW 27th Avenue involves the second-largest number of traffic accidents in the city. At this intersection, cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles mix with pedestrians and bicyclists from the college. 

Although both roads provide multiple lanes, traffic still gets bogged down during most of the day. This mix produces accidents at this intersection nearly every day.

Silver Springs Boulevard

Silver Springs Boulevard provides two of Ocala’s most dangerous intersections. Silver Springs Boulevard, also designated FL-40, provides one of the few uninterrupted east-west routes through Ocala. It is dotted with shopping, restaurants, and government offices as it passes just north of downtown Ocala and just south of the Magnolia business district. This makes it one of the most heavily traveled roads in Ocala.

Silver Springs Boulevard and Pine Avenue

Pine Avenue near Silver Springs Boulevard provides access to the Marion County Judicial Center and other county, state, and federal government offices. Several businesses are also located along Pine Avenue and Silver Springs Boulevard near this intersection. As a result, traffic often backs up along southbound Pine Avenue and westbound Silver Springs Boulevard.

The speed limit through this area is only 35 miles per hour on Pine Avenue and 30 miles per hour on Silver Springs Boulevard. But busy roads, pedestrians from the courthouse, and confusing road signs make this intersection the sixth-most common location for accidents in Ocala.

Silver Springs Boulevard and SE 25th Avenue

East of downtown Ocala, Silver Springs Boulevard provides access to shopping centers and the Ocala Public Library. Marion County also has a DMV office on SE 25th Avenue, just south of Silver Springs Boulevard. As a result, the intersection at Silver Springs Boulevard and SE 25th Avenue sees heavy traffic almost every day of the week.

Adding to this problem is the fact that the posted speed limit on Silver Springs Boulevard through this area is 40 miles per hour. In reality, many motorists take this as permission to drive 50 miles per hour or faster along this stretch of road. 

As a result, many accidents at Silver Springs Boulevard and SE 25th Avenue result from speeding and overcrowding.

Accidents Can Happen Anywhere

Although Ocala has some hotspots for traffic accidents, no location is immune from car crashes. Distracted, impaired, or careless driving can result in an accident anywhere in the city or on the surrounding highways.

But knowing where accidents can happen is secondary to knowing how accidents happen. By driving defensively, slowing down, and wearing a seatbelt, you can reduce the risk of harm from traffic accidents in Ocala.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to face the consequences alone. Turn to a trusted legal professional to explore your legal options for recovery. 

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If you would like to discuss your accident in Ocala, FL, contact the Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We’ll discuss the circumstances of your case and help you to find effective legal solutions to recover compensation.

We cover all types of injury and accident cases including Ocala commercial vehicle accidents, Ocala bus accidents, Ocala taxi accidents, Lyft accidents, Uber accidents, electric scooter accidents, and much more.

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