The 5 Most Dangerous Intersections In Massachusetts

**The data used for this list was compiled from accident reports from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation  during the 10 year period from 2003 to 2013. To see how the areas on your commute fared in the study, check out this interactive map from NBC Boston.

As a college student in South Carolina, I used to assure my nervous passengers as I zoomed in and out of traffic, “Don’t worry. I learned to drive in Massachusetts.” From aggressive motorists to pot holes the size of RV’s, the Bay State has more than its share of driving hazards.

This week, NBC Boston presented their picks for the 5 most dangerous intersections in the state based on thousands of crash reports.

Not surprisingly, the majority of the worst intersections in the state are clustered along Route 128 and Interstate 93. These are the places where the most minor bumps, dings and fender benders are reported, where motorists report people driving distracted, running red lights and texting while driving.

These spots may rack up the most crashes, but they are not where the most fatal accidents occur. That gruesome honor goes to I-93 at Interstate 495 in Andover and routes 3 and 18 in Weymouth.

1. Columbia Road at the Southeast Expressway in Dorchester

The absolute worst spot for collisions in the state of Massachusetts is this Dorchester intersection, with 296 crashes reported – 78 involving injuries – from 2003 – 2013.

“I come through here every day and traffic is always a mess, so it doesn’t surprise me that this is one of the most treacherous places to cross in the city,” one driver at the intersection told NBC Boston.

2. Middlesex Turnpike at Route 128 in Burlington

This intersection was a close runner-up, just one crash shy of tying the number one spot. It saw a reported 295 crashes.

“No matter where you go around there, it’s pretty busy,” one motorist said.

3. Granite Avenue and the Expressway in Milton

245 crashes occurred at this intersection, many due to motorists pulling illegal U-turns in order to jump onto the interstate.

“You’ve got cars that are coming down here at 50 to 55 miles per hour and suddenly stopping to make a U-turn so they can get over there to the exit to enter the highway,” Milton police Lt. Kevin Foley said. “It’s a huge problem.”

4. North Washington Street and the Central Artery in Boston

This busy city spot reported 232 crashes to the Department of Transportation in just one decade.

5. Route 128 and Interstate 93 in Woburn

Rounding out the top 5 was this spot along I-93 in Woburn, with 225 accidents.