Dearborn & Ontario among most dangerous intersections, says transit advocate

(Above) Google Street View of North Dearborn Street as it intersects with West Ontario Street in River North. (Click on image to view larger version.)

October 15, 2014 – An organization that advocates for safer transportation has released its list of Chicago intersections it says are the most dangerous – and one of them is in River North.

After studying state and city accident data and more than 800 suggestions from the public, Active Transportation Alliance selected the following Chicago intersections on which its “Safe Crossings” campaign will focus…

Milwaukee Avenue & North Avenue & Damen Avenue
Cicero Avenue & Chicago Avenue
Halsted Street & Lincoln Avenue & Fullerton Avenue
Cottage Grove Avenue & 79th Street
Dearborn Street & Ontario Street
Ashland Avenue & 63rd Street
Cicero Avenue & Madison Street
Ashland Avenue & Cortland Street
Martin Luther King Drive & 63rd Street
Elston Avenue & Western Avenue & Diversey Avenue

The alliance wants the city to spend more money to improve street design and increase enforcement of traffic laws at major intersections.

“Our streets are valuable public spaces and crossing them shouldn’t require putting your life at risk,” says executive director Ron Burke.

78 percent of all traffic accidents involving pedestrians happen within 125 feet of an intersection, according to the city. In Chicago, pedestrians accounted for 33 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2012, compared to only 14 percent statewide. 69 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in Illinois that year happened in Chicago.