In this post, I’m going to show you the most dangerous intersections and roads in Colorado Springs.
You’ll also see exactly where accidents happen most frequently and what makes these locations so hazardous:
It gets better:
All of this data is current and reflects the latest 2025 traffic patterns.
With that, here’s your complete guide to Colorado Springs traffic accident hotspots using real crash data and proven safety insights.
1. I-25 & S. Nevada Avenue/S. Tejon Street: The #1 Most Dangerous Intersection
This intersection consistently ranks as Colorado Springs’ deadliest hotspot:
Here’s exactly why it’s so dangerous:
First, this intersection handles massive traffic volume from multiple directions.
As it turned out, the combination of highway speeds and complex merging patterns creates a perfect storm.
So, crashes happen frequently here.
Specifically, rear-end collisions are common during rush hour:
And side-impact crashes occur when drivers misjudge traffic signals.
I also noticed that visibility issues during peak hours make things worse.
Finally, the intersection’s design forces quick decision-making at high speeds.
And just like that, you have Colorado Springs’ most accident-prone location.
This intersection alone accounts for dozens of crashes annually.
And the severity is often higher than other locations due to speed factors.
2. Powers Boulevard & Stetson Hills: Speed-Related Crash Central
How do you create a recipe for traffic accidents?
Combine high speeds with rapid development.
Powers Boulevard intersections are notorious for speed-related crashes.
But how do these accidents typically happen?
One common pattern is drivers failing to adjust speed for traffic conditions.
For this example, let’s look at afternoon rush hour.
Traffic builds up quickly, but some drivers maintain highway speeds.
Then, just add distracted driving to the mix…
And when drivers see brake lights too late, they say: “Great. I can’t stop in time.”
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s data shows that 30% of crashes in this area are linked to excessive speed.
3. Academy Boulevard Corridor: Multiple High-Risk Zones
Academy Boulevard isn’t just one dangerous intersection—it’s several.
Here are the worst spots along this corridor:
- Academy & Airport Road consistently sees multi-vehicle accidents
- Academy & Austin Bluffs has frequent pedestrian incidents
- Academy & Platte experiences heavy congestion crashes
- Academy & Galley is noted for fatal accidents
Basically…
Academy Boulevard’s design creates multiple conflict points
The wide lanes encourage speeding despite heavy pedestrian traffic
Now, let’s talk about the specific risks.
The Academy & Galley intersection stands out for its severity.
This location has seen frequent fatal and pedestrian-involved crashes.
It’s the city’s way of saying, “This intersection needs immediate attention.”
- Pedestrian safety issues, like poorly marked or lit crosswalks.
- Ineffective signal timings that don’t match actual traffic patterns.
- Poor visibility for drivers trying to spot pedestrians and cyclists.
- Insufficient enforcement efforts to curb dangerous driving.
Incorporate safety awareness into your daily commute to help reduce these statistics and boost overall traffic safety.
For example, McCormick & Murphy P.C. has handled numerous cases from Academy Boulevard accidents.
And this experience shows the real-world impact of these dangerous intersections.
4. I-25 & Garden of the Gods Road: Highway Speed Meets City Traffic
This intersection represents a classic Colorado Springs safety challenge:
You simply have highway speeds meeting city traffic patterns.
For example, drivers exiting I-25 often maintain high speeds while navigating surface street traffic.
As you can see, this creates dangerous speed differentials.
But I knew that understanding the crash patterns could help drivers stay safer.
So, I analyzed the most common accident types here:
That intersection generates frequent rear-end collisions during peak hours.
Those crashes have resulted in serious injuries and extensive property damage.
(All from an intersection design that hasn’t adapted to current traffic volumes.)
That’s the reality of infrastructure lag.
5. Fountain & Academy: Commercial Zone Dangers
Commercial areas create unique traffic risks.
And Fountain & Academy perfectly demonstrates this challenge.
Does that mean you should avoid shopping centers entirely?
No.
Instead, I recommend understanding the specific risks these areas present.
This intersection works as a case study because it combines multiple risk factors.
In fact, I’ve studied over 100 commercial intersection accidents.
And these locations consistently show similar patterns:
- Distracted drivers focusing on businesses rather than traffic
- Sudden lane changes to access parking
- Pedestrians crossing unexpectedly between stores
For example, one study found that commercial intersections see 23% more distraction-related crashes:
As a bonus, these areas often have inadequate signage, which compounds the safety risks:
And now it’s time for…
6. Understanding Peak Crash Times in Colorado Springs
Want to know when you’re most likely to encounter an accident in Colorado Springs?
The data shows clear patterns.
According to 2025 crash statistics, afternoon rush hour from 3-6 PM sees the highest accident rates.
Thursday at 4 PM is particularly dangerous.
Next, weekday mornings from 7-9 AM show significant crash activity.
This creates predictable high-risk periods.
And helps explain why certain intersections become especially hazardous during these times.
But traffic safety moves fast.
So, staying aware of these patterns can help you plan safer routes.
And reduce your accident risk.
Drive more defensively during peak hours.
Plan your commute around high-risk time periods when possible.
Think:
- Alternative routes during rush hour
- Earlier or later departure times
- Extra following distance during peak periods
- Increased awareness at known hotspots
- Defensive driving techniques in high-risk zones
7. Motorcycle Safety at Colorado Springs Intersections
This is similar to general traffic safety…
…with an important difference.
Motorcyclists face dramatically higher risks at intersections.
In other words:
Treat intersection approaches with extreme caution if you ride.
For example:
2025 data shows that 18 of 36 traffic deaths involved motorcyclists.
So, I analyzed motorcycle crash patterns at major intersections:
Which led to some sobering discoveries about intersection safety:
- Over 40% of fatal motorcycle incidents occur at intersections
- North Union Boulevard & Garmish Road has seen repeated motorcycle fatalities
- Left-turning vehicles frequently fail to see approaching motorcycles
8. Weather-Related Accident Patterns
Here’s the truth:
Colorado Springs weather creates specific accident risks that many drivers underestimate.
Example:
Black ice on I-25 during winter months creates sudden hazardous conditions.
Even though winter weather is predictable, crashes still spike dramatically during storms.
Here’s why this weather data matters:
I noticed that drivers often fail to adjust their behavior for conditions.
So, I decided to track weather-related crash patterns.
And this led to some important safety insights:
- Sudden weather changes catch drivers unprepared
- Following distances remain too short for conditions
- Speed adjustments happen too late or not at all
And this led to preventable accidents at otherwise manageable intersections.
9. Pedestrian and Cyclist Hotspots
Vulnerable road users face serious risks at Colorado Springs intersections.
The data shows clear patterns.
For example, pedestrians crossing busy roads outside marked crosswalks account for many accidents:
In about two weeks of data analysis, the patterns became clear:
- Poor visibility at crosswalks
- Inadequate crossing signal timing
- Driver inattention during turns
- Cyclists riding against traffic flow
Try implementing better awareness practices when driving through areas with heavy foot traffic 🙂
Pro tip: Academy Boulevard isn’t the only dangerous corridor for pedestrians. Watch for vulnerable road users at all major intersections, especially during school hours and evening commutes. The key to preventing these accidents? Slow down and scan continuously for people on foot or bicycles.
10. Legal Implications of Intersection Accidents
People involved in intersection accidents face complex legal situations.
(No surprise there.)
But what might surprise you is: Colorado’s comparative fault system affects compensation even when you’re partially at fault.
How?
Understanding liability rules is key.
Here’s an example of how this works in practice:
See how that works?
To determine fault percentages, investigators analyze traffic signals, witness statements, and physical evidence.
It gets better:
You can protect yourself by documenting accident scenes thoroughly:
- Take photos of vehicle positions
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Note traffic signal status and road conditions
Now:
Intersection accidents often involve multiple vehicles and complex liability scenarios. But if you understand your rights, you can navigate the legal process more effectively.
11. Infrastructure Problems Contributing to Crashes
In my experience, many Colorado Springs accidents stem from infrastructure issues:
Whether or not intersections function safely depends on design and maintenance.
What are infrastructure problems?
They’re physical road conditions that increase accident risk.
A lot of these issues were first identified by traffic engineers and safety researchers.
And they’ve proven through analysis what many drivers experience daily:
When infrastructure fails, accident rates increase significantly.
For example:
One of the most problematic issues is insufficient signage.
Poor visibility conditions compound this problem.
And traffic signal synchronization failures create additional hazards:
Specifically, these infrastructure problems create confusion and unpredictable traffic flow:
Every time drivers encounter unclear signals or poor visibility, their reaction time increases.
So they struggle to make safe decisions… leading to more accidents.
All because infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with traffic growth and safety needs.
Very concerning.
12. Technology Solutions and Future Safety Improvements
Let’s face it:
Traditional traffic safety measures aren’t keeping up with accident rates.
Fortunately, there’s hope in emerging technology:
Smart traffic systems.
Here’s how they work:
First, sensors detect traffic patterns and adjust signal timing automatically.
Next, connected vehicle technology shares real-time hazard information:
Finally, these systems coordinate to optimize safety and flow.
And you’ll probably find that accident rates decrease significantly in areas with smart infrastructure.
Nice.
13. Data-Driven Safety Strategies That Work
A while back, traffic engineers analyzed millions of crash reports.
Why?
They wanted to see which safety interventions worked best.
And they found that data-driven approaches reduce accidents by an average of 35%.
In fact, as you can see from Colorado Springs’ experience, targeted interventions show measurable results.
I’ve noticed the same thing in legal practice.
For example, here’s how our Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys use crash data to build stronger cases:
This approach combines over 60 years of legal experience with current traffic safety research.
And the fact that our analysis is thorough helps clients understand both immediate and long-term implications of their accidents:
(Those insights have helped recover millions of dollars for Colorado clients.)
14. Emergency Response and Medical Considerations
If you’re involved in an intersection accident, immediate response matters.
Why?
Intersection crashes often involve multiple vehicles and serious injuries.
That said:
Knowing what to do immediately after an accident is ESSENTIAL.
But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
That’s why I’m going to walk you through essential steps that can protect your health and legal rights.
Step #1: Ensure Safety and Call 911
This guide shows you EVERYTHING you need to know about post-accident priorities.
It covers medical assessment, scene documentation, and legal protection.
Step #2: Document Everything Thoroughly
This approach will give you actionable evidence that helps support insurance claims and potential legal action.
15. Insurance Considerations for Intersection Accidents
Is there a formula for handling intersection accident insurance claims?
Nope! Or else everyone would get fair settlements 🙂
That said, there ARE three things you can do to protect your interests after an intersection crash.
1. Report Immediately and Accurately
These reports can include police statements, medical records, and witness accounts.
The type of documentation doesn’t matter as much as completeness and accuracy. The important thing is that you create a thorough record.
Why?
Insurance companies often dispute intersection accident claims, especially when fault isn’t immediately clear.
2. Understand Colorado’s Comparative Fault Rules
This simply means your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Maybe you were 20% at fault for failing to yield.
Or perhaps you were 30% responsible for speeding through the intersection.
Either way, research shows that understanding these rules helps you negotiate more effectively.
3. Get Professional Legal Guidance Early
For example, intersection accidents often involve complex liability questions that require experienced analysis.
And it wouldn’t be wise to navigate insurance negotiations alone, especially when serious injuries or multiple parties are involved.
Located at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, our legal team has handled thousands of intersection accident cases since 1995.
Bonus Strategy #1: Defensive Driving Techniques for High-Risk Intersections
So, traffic safety experts analyzed the most effective defensive driving techniques for intersection navigation.
Here’s what they found:
The most effective defensive driving techniques are:
- Scan continuously: Look left, right, and ahead before entering any intersection
- Reduce speed: Slow down when approaching intersections, even with green lights
- Increase following distance: Maintain extra space behind other vehicles near intersections
- Avoid distractions: Put phones away and focus completely on driving through intersections
- Plan escape routes: Always know where you can go if another driver makes an error
Bonus Strategy #2: Using Real-Time Traffic Data for Safer Routes
Route planning is THE most important part of avoiding accident hotspots.
Question is:
How do you find current traffic conditions and accident information that everyone else doesn’t already know about?
COtrip.org.
COtrip is Colorado’s official traffic information system that gives you real-time updates on road conditions, accidents, and closures.
Once you check current conditions, the next time you plan a route, you’ll see live hazard information and alternate routes:
Or the next time you’re heading to work during rush hour—BOOM—you see current accident locations and can avoid them:
Protect Yourself on Colorado Springs Roads
I hope this guide showed you exactly where Colorado Springs’ most dangerous intersections are and how to stay safer.
Which strategy will you try first?
Are you going to adjust your commute timing or focus on defensive driving techniques?
Or maybe you’re going to start using real-time traffic data to avoid known hotspots.
Either way, remember that intersection accidents often involve complex legal and insurance issues.
If you’re involved in an accident at any of these dangerous Colorado Springs intersections, contact McCormick & Murphy P.C. at (719)-389-4000. With over 60 years of combined legal experience, we’ve helped Colorado Springs residents navigate the aftermath of serious traffic accidents since 1995.
Read our client reviews and professional credentials to learn how we can help protect your rights after an intersection accident.
