PONTIAC, Mich. – An intersection near downtown Pontiac is getting attention for its number of crashes.
The intersection is at Woodward Avenue and University Drive.
“Every time we hear the brakes squealing, and it’s just chaos after that,” Awilda Cartagena said.
Cartagena works right by the intersection and has witnessed several of the crashes.
“It happens at least once, twice, three times a month,” Cartagena said.
According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 29 crashes at that intersection occurred in 2023.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office tracks crashes by streets. They shared a map showing the number of crashes they responded to in that area in 2023.
“This year, it could be a few more crashes,” Pontiac Station Commander Major Andre Ewing said about crashes at the intersection of Woodward and University.
Ewing said the main reason for these crashes is human error, including drivers trying to beat the light.
“(Drivers think) the yellow light doesn’t mean I need to stop anymore, it means I’ve got three more seconds to get through the intersection,” Ewing said.
Ewing said drivers need to slow down, pay attention, and obey the traffic signals.