by

Share this Post:

Winchester is generally a very safe driving city, but as with anywhere else in the state, there are some intersections that aren’t quite as safe. We examined Virginia Department of Transportation data of wrecks in Winchester during the past decade, and there were a few standout intersections that proved they’re worth being extra cautious when driving through.

Many of the most problematic intersections are at highway exits because of the shape of our city, which is surrounded by high-volume highways and pikes. These high-volume intersections take commuters to and from the city center and tend to provide the most opportunity for collisions. A couple other standout intersections were between downtown Winchester and the highways, where traffic transitions from fast to slow as it nears downtown.

VA-37 and the Amherst Street Exit

The Amherst Street exit has high traffic volume because it’s one of the main streets used to enter downtown Winchester from the west. Also, the exit at VA-37 and Amherst is straddled on either side by a large Walmart to the west and the Winchester Medical Center to the east. The mix of a large number of shoppers and employees of the Medical Center can cause high volumes of traffic at various times throughout the day.

By far the majority of the collisions reported at this exit are rear end collisions and angle (turning) accidents. Be sure to slow down cautiously when approaching the stop lights at the exit, as traffic could stop abruptly. To avoid turning collisions, check for individuals running the stop light when you attempt to turn right or left. Additionally, double-check that you’re clear to turn before you make your move. Those two things could save your vehicle and keep you safe at this intersection.

Millwood Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road

One of the high-volume intersections in town is at Millwood Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. This intersection takes in a lot of traffic going to and from the highway throughout the day, and its extreme angle creates a potential for lower visibility. As you move through the intersection, you aren’t able to see as far down the road as would be the safest.

There’s also a large Sheetz gas station right on the corner all the way up to the stop light. This Sheetz location is popular, and it’s the first gas station after exiting the highway on Millwood. The high volume of traffic entering and exiting the gas station on either side can cause complications at the intersection.

The vast majority of accidents in this intersection happen right in the middle of it, and most of those accidents are caused by turning. It makes sense with the intersection’s intense angles, because drivers turning right or left must crane their necks to see oncoming traffic in their merge lane. To combat this, be extra cautious when turning, and double or triple check if you need to before merging into the other street. Keep your eyes peeled for vehicles turning out in front of you as well, because they may not have taken the time to see you coming.

Interstate 81 and the Berryville Pike Exit

The next highway exit on our list happens to be the very same place you’ll exit if you decide to come to Safford of Winchester! Exit 315 off of Interstate 81 is one of the two main exits you’ll use to visit Winchester from the east side, so naturally it will be a busy place. On the west side of the road you’ll find a large residential area with some shopping, and on the east side you’ll find two large shopping centers before Safford of Winchester’s dealership and service center.

Beyond our dealership, there is even more residential developments for miles down the road to the east. Berryville Avenue also transitions into Berryville Pike at this interchange, making for even more traffic as commuters merge on their way home. This highway exit can get backed up during rush hour, as many commuters travel to and from their homes. On top of that you have shoppers trying to get to their preferred stores, so this makes for a sometimes-messy interchange.

Almost every accident at this highway intersection through the years has been a rear-end collision. That can most likely be attributed to the heavy traffic many drivers experience here. Traffic even backs up onto the highway at times, creating a potential for high speed accidents. Luckily there haven’t been any fatalities reported at the I-81/Berryville interchange since before 2005. So what can you do to better ensure your safety?

Stay aware of the changing speed ahead of you near this intersection, as drivers ahead may come to a sudden stop. Be cautious as you move through traffic as well. Even at a low speed, a rear-end accident can be painful to you and damaging to your vehicle. The last thing you want is an accident after you’ve visited Safford of Winchester for a service tune-up or vehicle purchase! Luckily, we have a full-featured collision center if you do run into bad luck.

Cork Street and Pleasant Valley Road

Just a short drive down Pleasant Valley Road from our last in-town intersection lays Cork Street. Maybe they should rename Pleasant Valley Road to something more suitable, like Fender Bender Valley Road. This intersection is not highly populated with businesses. One corner is the Mt. Hebron Cemetery, and the opposite corner has some houses and sports complex down the road, which can get busy during weekend sports events.

This area sees a lot of general commuter and recreational traffic because of the country club golf course and many neighborhoods to the east. The intersection itself lacks visibility with trees lining the corner, as well as a moderately sharp incline on the west side, making height visibility more challenging for some vehicles.

What can you do to make this a safer intersection for you and your family? Most of the accidents here happen during a turning action. This isn’t much of a surprise because of the awkward, almost diamond-shaped intersection. The design causes the turn lanes to be slightly recessed from the right lane. On top of that, the westbound traffic doesn’t get its own dedicated turn lane, which could cause confusion with the small incline slightly blocking oncoming traffic from the west.

Simply be cautious and check the status of the light, oncoming traffic and other drivers before you commit to your turn. Alternatively, slow down as you approach the intersection in case another driver is turning without checking for you, or if you were obscured beneath the hill.

Interstate 81 and the Martinsburg Pike Exit

Our final intersection on the list is another interchange with tons of potential for dangerous situations. Located at the furthest-north point in the city, the I-81 and Martinsburg Pike intersection is where drivers from both sides of the city intertwine. The majority of the fatal accidents in Winchester surround this interchange, most notably a 2011 incident involving a drunken driver.

The awkward distance between stop lights under the interstate creates a relatively confusing environment, and the Martinsburg median makes for a more complicated situation for turning and dealing with traffic in general.

The best you can do to deal with this interchange is to exercise maximum patience. There’s a lot of temptation to speed through lights to beat them before they change, as Martinsburg Pike drivers have to deal with three different stop lights in a short distance. Slowing down and possibly having to stop again is worth it if you can save damage to your vehicle, or harm to another person. Also, if you’re the one waiting to merge onto the Pike, always be sure to check for anyone attempting to run a light before you accelerate into the intersection.

Overall, Winchester has reasonably safe intersections, with the Department of Transportation’s records showing only a small number of accidents over a span of nearly 12 years. There were very few fatal accidents at all during that time. As always, it’s best to be safe when driving anywhere, no matter which intersection you’re going through.

We’re proud to have a selection of the safest vehicles on the road. Our 2017 5-star rated vehicles such as the Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger and Charger are all designed with safety in mind. Shop our full range of vehicles.

If we’re all a little more patient and vigilant drivers, Winchester roads will be even safer!