Top Mistakes Drivers Make at Risky Intersections

An intersection might look like just another part of the road, but it’s actually one of the most demanding places for a driver. When you roll up to a stoplight or a four-way stop, your brain suddenly has to handle a flood of information: traffic signals, cars coming from multiple directions, pedestrians, cyclists, and sometimes impatient drivers behind you. That’s a lot to manage in just a few seconds.

The truth is, people don’t always treat intersections with the caution they deserve. Especially when they’ve driven the same route a hundred times, they start relying on habit instead of being fully alert. From misjudging a yellow light to creeping into a crosswalk or missing a signal, these common slip-ups are exactly why the most dangerous intersections keep earning that name.

Here are some of the top mistakes drivers make at intersections:

Rushing Through Yellow Lights

The yellow light isn’t a countdown to speed up. It’s a warning to slow down and stop, if it’s safe to do so.

Trying to beat the light might shave off a few seconds from your drive, but it can also put you in the middle of the intersection when the light turns red. That’s when crashes happen, especially with cars from cross-traffic that think they have the green.

When the light turns yellow and you’re a few seconds away from the line, start slowing down. You might feel like you’re wasting time, but you’re actually avoiding a huge risk.

Rolling Through Stop Signs

You might have heard about the “California Roll.” It means slowing down at a stop sign but not actually stopping. It might feel harmless, especially if the intersection looks empty, but this habit can cost you a ticket or, worse, a crash.

When you roll through a stop sign, you’re not giving yourself a proper chance to look around. That quick glance might miss a pedestrian stepping into the road or a cyclist riding past.

Make it a rule to stop fully at every stop sign. Count a full second before moving forward. That pause can save a life.

Bike Lanes

You’re creeping forward, trying to see past a parked car or tall vehicle. It feels normal, like you’re just peeking to get a better view. But the second your bumper crosses into a crosswalk or bike lane, you’ve just created a dangerous obstacle.

Now, pedestrians have to walk around your car, possibly into traffic. Cyclists might swerve into another lane to avoid you. And if something goes wrong, you could be blamed for being in the wrong place.

The fix is to simply stay behind the line. When you stay back, you protect people on foot and on bikes. You also give yourself a better line of sight to make safer turns.

Not Yielding on Left Turns

Turning left sounds easy, but it’s one of the most dangerous moves a driver can make. You’re exposed to oncoming traffic, and you have to judge the speed and distance of approaching cars.

A lot of drivers make the mistake of rushing a left turn, thinking they can make it through a small gap. But misjudging that gap can lead to a serious side-impact collision.

Here’s the safer move: wait. Even if someone behind you is honking, hold your ground until it’s absolutely safe to turn. Defensive driving teaches patience and timing, and that’s exactly what left turns require.

Getting Distracted at a Red Light

The problem here is that red lights don’t last forever. And if you’re distracted when the light turns green, you might miss your cue or, worse, miss the pedestrian stepping off the curb right as you’re starting to move.

Instead, stay alert. Use the red light to scan your surroundings. Look around. Check mirrors. Get ready to go. Just because your car isn’t moving doesn’t mean you can relax.