Pittsburgh’s Most Lethal Roads FOR MOTORCYCLES

The warmth of the summer sun is often shortly followed by the revving of motorcycle engines eager to hit the open road. Yes, the BART BEIER is a personal long awaited motorcycle season is here and Pittsburgh bikers are injury attorney and partner at taking advantage of every clear day to put their bikes to use. And there is no shortage of riders in the area. In 2013, the state of PA the offices of Beier Law located recorded a total of over 860,000 registered motorcyclists, a number in downtown Pittsburgh. He that has increased by just under 100,000 since 2004. We know it’s has extensive experience in probably not at the top of most riders’ minds when they’re out recovering compensation for on their bike, however, safety should be a primary concern when victims of motorcycle injuries, cruising through some of the downright convoluted streets of pain and suffering, uninsured Pittsburgh. In a state that ranks 8th for worst roads in the country, drivers and more. it’s particularly important for local riders to exercise caution whether taking an extensive road trip or just going for a short Sunday drive. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident A crucial part of staying safe while riding includes always call 412-281-8539 for a free consultation or visit understanding one’s surroundings and what immediate dangers www.beierlaw.com/roads for an online version they may bring. In an effort to help inform local motorcyclists of of this article that includes interactive Google potentially dangerous “problem roads,” we decided to team up with Maps of the included roads and intersections. local experts to create a list of roads that riders should watch out for.

Dangerous Pittsburgh explains the real danger of Rt. 8 be on the look out at every distracted business men and lies in the sudden change of road intersection for sudden turns women making phone calls on Roads For Motorcycles environment. “You get some high from opposing traffic. their commutes to work. Many of speeds on Rt. 8 which can be them may not be giving the road problematic. Rt. 8 changes very their full attention. Impatient and The Road: Rt. 8 quickly from an open residential The Road: Penn Ave. distracted drivers can be a huge problem for Penn Ave., especially The Whereabouts: road to a congested business area The Whereabouts: during those hours of high Between Wildwood Rd. and the and back again. Many riders will Between Brushton Ave. & the congestion. PA Turnpike have their mind a mile back and fail to adjust to the new situation.” Larimer Avenue Bridge The Problems: This failure to adjust means that The Problems: • Road “Personality” Changes riders may enter the congested The Road: Liberty Ave. From Open Highway To area with out-of-control speeds • Distracted Driving The Whereabouts: Congested Business District or in improper lane positions. • Running Through Red Lights Between 16th St. & 31st St. • Excessive Speeding What’s more is that the • Excessive Speeding The Problems: businesses located along Rt. • Automobiles Frequently Pulling 8 only add to the confusion. The Description: In And Out Of Highway • Distracted Driving Riders will encounter frequent For motorcycles and cars alike, • Running Through Red Lights • Heavy Cross Traffic intersections and must be aware Penn Ave. can be considered one of traffic pulling on and off the of the most threatening roads in • Hill Crests Limit Visibility • Small Lanes road at all times. Cross traffic from the Pittsburgh area. In fact, in just The Description: the opposing lane must always this 2 mile stretch of road, there The Description: Much like Penn From 2009 – 2013, Rt. 8 has be at the top of a rider’s mind. have been a total of 342 crashes Ave., Liberty Ave. attracts many Pittsburgh business commuters been the location of the vast Furthermore, the hill crests on that have left 244 injured and 4 going to and from their work amount of motorcycle crashes in Rt. 8 can severely limit visibility dead. These statistics contribute destinations. On Liberty Ave., the area. In the five year period, providing yet another obstacle to to its status as PennDOT’s 11th drivers may attempt to run red the road has been the site of 21 motorcyclists. most dangerous state roadway. lights to avoid wait times and motorcycle accidents; almost When riding along Rt. 8, it’s So what’s the problem? Speeding may also be observed using double the amount of any other crucial for riders to understand is often cited as the main their cell phones during peak area road. that the environment around concern. Drivers regularly neglect traffic hours. According to the One of the particularly dangerous them is changing at all times. the road’s 35 mph speed limit. Southwestern Pennsylvania sections of Rt. 8 lies between Riders should adjust their speed In fact, motorists will actually Commission, Liberty Ave. is a Wildwood Rd. and the PA and lane position accordingly increase speeds through red “high crash corridor” containing Turnpike. Hal Deily, President when they realize they’re hitting lights in order to avoid long wait several dangerous intersections of the Greater Pittsburgh a more congested section. Also, times between lights. On top of within. Between 2005 – 2009 a Motorcycle Safety Council, motorcyclists should always that, this road is traveled by many total of 96 automobile accidents occurred between 16th St. and Heavy automobile traffic? Are lane and double lights that are Furthermore, in the middle of 31st St. people likely to be intoxicated? only 30 yards apart, Saw Mill Run all of this, exists a turning lane Which lane are the bicyclists Blvd. has given drivers around opposing traffic can use to go left supposed to be in?” the area significant problems for across Rt. 65. It’s very easy when The Road: East Carson St. years. In 2011, Saw Mill Run had a driving along Ohio River Blvd. to streak of 105 automobile crashes lose track of the turning lane or The Whereabouts: The Road: Rt. 910 during the previous 5 years. Even not even realize you’re in it. Between South 33rd St. and (Gibsonia Rd.) if one is familiar with the road Station Square Combined with all the other it’s still best to exercise caution. The Whereabouts: Between traffic movement going on, it’s The Problems: Copious amounts of construction Saxonburg Blvd. & Rt. 8 very easy for riders to “get lost” during the summertime • Drunk Driving in the vision of other drivers. can put many motorcycle The Problems: People may see motorcycles riders in unfamiliar and even • Cars Turning Between Parked but sometimes they don’t really • Frequent Turns And Bends uncomfortable situations. Cars notice them,” Deily states. • Reckless Rider Behavior As well, the surrounding Parked Cars Suddenly Appear In This section of road is also construction of other roads puts Lane • Limited Visibility considered a high crash roadway. significantly more traffic on Ohio River Blvd. has had 100 The Description: Ranked as the • Automobiles Frequently Pulling Saw Mill Run Blvd. than it was 6th most dangerous road in PA, automobile crashes in just a 5 In and Out Of Highway meant to handle. The result? the bustling road claimed a total year period. Traffic suddenly coming to an of 374 crashes, 281 injuries and The Description: Rt. 910 is a immediate halt. One minute 3 deaths between 2007 – 2011. favorite of many local riders you’re moving at a healthy speed Between 2009 – 2013, PennDOT because the road’s frequent and the next you’re at a dead Conclusion recorded a total of 6 motorcycle twists and turns allow them stop. Riders should always be crashes. to really “feel” the motorcycle Motorcyclists of all ages and on the look-out of any sudden underneath them. The thrill experience levels should braking of the drivers in front of Heavy traffic during peak hours they seek from riding this road always proceed with caution them. and vehicles making turns in may cause them to travel in and when they find themselves on between parked cars with limited out of turns at uncontrolled any of the above roads. Please visibility are daytime concerns speeds putting them at risk to take your time to read this for many motorcyclists. After lay their bikes over. Deily says The Road: Ohio River guide several times so that 10 p.m., all vehicles should look this behavior can be dangerous. Blvd. (Rt. 65) you really understand all the out for drunk drivers leaving the “Curves present the most causes dangers associated with each many bars along East Carson. The Whereabouts: Between of single vehicle accidents. Riders road. We encourage you to This is when the vast majority Mckees Rocks Bridge & Camp get in trouble when they carry print this guide out and share it of accidents occur. Always Horne Rd. too much speed into a corner with your fellow riders. remember, impaired riding is and hit the corner wide.” The Problems: one of the biggest killers of To send off, we want to echo motorcyclists. As well, motorcyclists should • Easy To Get Lost In Other this sentiment from PennDOT always be on the lookout for Drivers’ Sights District Traffic Engineer, Additionally, motorcyclists will other automobiles pulling in Todd Kravits: “We especially observe multiple road personality • Automobiles Frequently Pulling front of them due to the poor encourage motorcyclists and changes when driving down East In And Out Of Highway visibility Rt. 910 allows. Reducing pedestrians to exercise more Carson. For a few blocks riders speed and directing the eyes • Right Lane Traffic Pulling caution on our roadways might observe the bike lane, toward where they’re headed are Around Stopped Busses because sometimes drivers and then all of a sudden it will both great solutions to Rt. 910’s can’t see them. We want them disappear. Same goes for parked Between Camp Horne Rd. and challenges. to return home safely and make cars. Some blocks allow for street the Mckees Rocks Bridge exists a it to wherever they’re going.” parking and others do not. East The Road: Saw Mill Run Blvd. plethora of gas stations, fast food Carson has the tendency of The Whereabouts: Between Rt. restaurants and retailers. Here Visit www.beierlaw.com/roads going through cycles of opening 88 & the Liberty Tunnels one will find motorcycles, trucks, for an online version of this and closing right back up. It’s and cars alike frequently turning article that includes interactive important to be aware of these The Problems: on and off the highway to pull Google Maps of the included changes at all times. into these various destinations. • Traffic Comes To A Sudden Stop roads and intersections as well There are also buses that as a downloadable PDF you When driving down East Carson, • Cross Traffic Across A Turn routinely make stops along the can save or distribute amongst it’s always crucial to be extra Only Lane river, causing right lane drivers fellow riders. aware of the environment. Think to dart into the passing lane to yourself, • Frequent Turns And Bends unexpectedly. All of this creates Be safe out there and enjoy the “What time of day is it? Will there The Description: With lots of a lot of commotion that can be ride! be heavy pedestrian traffic? cross traffic, a confusing turn only hard to keep track of.

445 Fort Pitt Blvd #400 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 http://www.beierlaw.com (412) 281-8539 CALL FOR A CONSULTATION