Did you know that Gwinnett County has some of the State of Georgia’s most dangerous roadway intersections? We have compiled traffic data from Gwinnett County, local and city police departments, and our own personal injury cases, to provide you with the 20 most dangerous intersections in Gwinnett County. Is an intersection in your home city on the list?
20. Buford Drive and Buford Mill Drive – Buford, Georgia
The Mall of Georgia brings thousands of visitors to Buford from across the state, and many are unfamiliar with the area. Drivers often run the red light on Buford Drive because they are distracted by the nearby merge on to Interstate 985. When mixed with other drivers in a hurry to leave the nearby Wal-Mart store, this intersection is notorious for accidents.
19. Scenic Highway and SR78 – Snellville, Georgia
The crossing of two major state highways in Snellville, Highway 124 and Highway 78, has gotten safer since the Georgia DOT removed the reversible lanes. Drivers were often confused by the vague street markings and the overhead “X” signs resulting in serious head-on collisions. Although the reversible lanes were removed, the heavy traffic and high speeds of travelers on Highway 78 still makes it one of Gwinnett’s most dangerous intersections.
18. Buford Drive and Old Peachtree Road – Buford, Georgia
This is the second time that an intersection near the Mall of Georgia appears on Gwinnett’s 20 most dangerous intersections. Drivers on this stretch of Highway 20 often drive well in excess of the posted speed limit, and drivers turning left onto Old Peachtree Road face a serious risk from oncoming traffic.
17. SR316 and Winder Highway – Dacula, Georgia
Georgia Highway 316 has always been one of Gwinnett County’s most dangerous roads. In 2015, tragedy struck the City of Dacula when two brothers in high school were killed in Dacula while crossing Highway 316. Drivers on SR316 treat the state road as an expressway, driving at excessive speeds and without the proper care for the intersections.
16. Duluth Highway and Riverside Parkway – Lawrenceville, Georgia
The chance of an accident at the intersection of Duluth Highway and Riverside Parkway peaks between 4 pm and 7 pm during the height of the afternoon rush hour. Highway 120 has quickly become a popular alternate for drivers attempting to avoid traffic on Highway 316 and Interstate 85. During peak travel hours, distracted drivers in a hurry to get home, often take unsafe risks when turning or crossing Duluth Highway.
15. Lawrenceville Highway and Lawrenceville Suwanee Road – Lawrenceville, Georgia
Intersections 14 and 15, if combined, would put them at the top of the list. Located only 1,000 feet apart, Lawrenceville Highway’s intersections with Lawrenceville Suwanee Road and Sugarloaf Parkway, when considered together, have the most accidents in Gwinnett County. With the combination of high driver speeds, heavy traffic, and a busy Wal-Mart shopping center, these two intersections create a dangerous combination for drivers in Lawrenceville.
14. Lawrenceville Highway and Sugarloaf Parkway – Lawrenceville, Georgia
Sugarloaf Parkway has become a popular alternate for travelers attempting to cross the heart of Gwinnett County. With this increase in the number of travelers on Sugarloaf Parkway, crossing Highway 29 is extremely dangerous, particularly when drivers are in a hurry and not paying close attention.
13. Goshen Springs Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard – Norcross, Georgia
Drivers from around Metro Atlanta now use Jimmy Carter Boulevard as an alternate for Interstate 285. As the congestion on Interstate 285 continues to get worse, so does the traffic on Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross. The “diverging diamond” intersection at the Interstate 85 overpass was supposed to help with the congestion, but heavy traffic still remains in the area. As a result, the Goshen Springs Road intersection nearby remains a danger for travelers.
12. Hewatt Road and Stone Mountain Highway – Snellville, Georgia
The traffic on Georgia Highway 78 reaches its most dangerous point in Gwinnett County at its intersection with Hewatt Road in Snellville. Drivers in a hurry on Highway 78 often run the Hewatt Road red light. Hewatt Road provides access to many of Snellville and Lilburn’s residential areas along the Yellow River, so travelers coming to and from their homes must always be alert when crossing this intersection.
11. Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and McGinnis Ferry Road – Suwanee, Georgia
Did you know that Peachtree Industrial Boulevard has more speeding drivers than most roads in Gwinnett County? Many drivers treat Peachtree Industrial like an interstate rather than a residential road. Peachtree Industrial’s speeders are the greatest threat to other drivers at McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee, another major thoroughfare.
10. Braselton Highway and Hamilton Mill Road – Dacula, Georgia
Once considered the far reaches of Gwinnett County, the population of the Hamilton Mill area has exploded with growth. Unfortunately, the intersection of Highway 124 and Hamilton Mill has been unable to keep up. Despite added turn lanes, the intersection struggles to handle the retail and residential traffic in the area regardless of the time of day.
9. Duluth Highway and Satellite Boulevard – Duluth, Georgia
Located just outside our office, we have seen terrible accidents at the Duluth Highway and Satellite Boulevard intersection. After 5 pm, traffic backs up on the streets surrounding the intersection, and distracted driving can result in a serious rear-end collision. Traffic using Satellite Boulevard as an alternate during that time period should use extra caution.
8. Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard – Duluth, Georgia
Although Gwinnett Place Mall continues to undergo retail changes, the traffic on Pleasant Hill remains heavy. Both Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard reach their widest points at this intersection, which means that Pleasant Hill and Satellite easily places as one of Gwinnett’s top ten most dangerous intersections.
7. Brook Hollow and Jimmy Carter Boulevard – Norcross, Georgia
Located approximately 700 feet from the Goshen Springs intersection, the Brook Hollow intersection with Jimmy Carter Boulevard also makes the top ten most dangerous. In fact, Jimmy Carter Boulevard has more dangerous intersections than any other road in Gwinnett County. Brook Hollow provides an alternate route to Indian Trail Road instead of Interstate 85, and thus the greater amount of traffic from Jimmy Carter adds to the danger.
6. Cruise Road and Sugarloaf Parkway – Lawrenceville, Georgia
Near the Sugarloaf 316 overpass, the Sugarloaf turn lanes are confusing for traffic turning both on to Cruise Road and Highway 316. Many drivers unfamiliar with the area have difficulty merging into the heavy traffic. With the amount of restaurants and shopping centers nearby, the amount of traffic can cause serious accidents.
5. Beaver Ruin Road and Indian Trial Road – Norcross, Georgia
Indian Trail and Beaver Ruin Road meet at the top of a hill which provides an awkward visibility angle for drivers turning from Indian Trail. This limited sight angle combined with the speed of drivers on Beaver Ruin Road creates a dangerous situation. Norcross drivers also face a second risk at Beaver Ruin’s nearby intersection with Buford Highway – an intersection which narrowly missed making this list.
4. Nelson Brogdon Boulevard and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard – Sugar Hill, Georgia
The only Sugar Hill intersection appearing on our list is also the fourth most dangerous in Gwinnett. The intersection of Nelson Brogdon Boulevard (Highway 20) and Peachtree Industrial is dangerous in part because Highway 20 shifts from a four lane highway to a two lane highway shortly after this intersection. This unexpected lane merge causes drivers to slam on their brakes quickly and rear-end collisions are common.
3. Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Venture Drive – Duluth, Georgia
The Steve Reynold Boulevard and Venture Drive intersection’s danger comes from the number of drivers crossing that intersection to access the retail stores on Venture Drive. Costco, one of Duluth’s largest stores, is located near the intersection and congestion is heavy, and Steve Reynolds’ lack of an I-85 south exit ramp only adds to the amount of traffic in this intersection.
2. SR 316 and Fence Road – Dacula, Georgia
The intersection of Highway 316 and Fence Road is one of Gwinnett’s most chaotic intersections. Traffic coming from and turning onto Fence Road often must jockey for position just to see the approaching traffic. Even if drivers have a good view of approaching traffic, the lack of any traffic light at the intersection makes this Dacula intersection one to avoid if at all possible.
1. Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard – Norcross, Georgia
Jimmy Carter Boulevard’s intersection with Peachtree Industrial tops our list with the most accidents. The Jimmy Carter/Peachtree Industrial Intersection is both confusing and dangerous. High speed traffic on Jimmy Carter meets fast traveling traffic exiting Peachtree Industrial, and the traffic signals and street markings only add to the confusion. Always slow down when crossing under the Peachtree Industrial Bridge to ensure that no confused driver enters into your path.
That concludes the top 20 most dangerous intersections in Gwinnett County. Do you believe that we left off a dangerous intersection near you? Like us on Facebook and leave us a comment to let us know which ones you believe are Gwinnett’s most dangerous intersections.