The Worst Intersections In Covington, And How To Avoid These Types Of Accidents

In Covington, the intersection of Highway 21 and Pinnacle Parkway/Ochsner Blvd. is one of the most dangerous in all of St. Tammany. Anyone who lives or works in the area knows how busy that intersection can be, especially at rush hour. It is not surprising that multiple accidents occur there each week. So, how can you avoid becoming another statistic?

Why is the intersection so bad?

The intersection of Highway 21 and Pinnacle Parkway/Ochsner Blvd. is one of the busiest sections of roadway in St. Tammany. Situated near Interstate 12, thousands of families live in subdivisions within two miles of the intersection. Large shopping centers and stores like Target and Sams (Costco coming soon) line the corridor, with Ochsner Medical Center also down the street.

The intersection is 186 feet (62 yards) across, from Pinnacle Parkway to Ochsner Blvd. That means it takes several seconds to cross from one side to the other. It also means that someone entering the intersection on a yellow light may still be in it when it turns red.  

Highway 21 can get severely congested, backing up into the intersection. When the light turns green on Ochsner Blvd., it doesn’t necessarily mean that turning vehicles have anywhere to go. Navigating the intersection can be very frustrating at times.

There are also lots of distractions at the intersection. Street peddlers who go from one car to another asking for money are common. Also, long waits at the intersection mean that more people are on their phones and not paying attention to traffic.

How to help avoid an accident at Hwy 21 and Pinnacle Parkway/Ochsner Blvd:

Here are a few tips to help avoid accidents at the intersection of Hwy 21 and Pinnacle Parkway/Ochsner Blvd.:

1. Count to 2 before going: As at any intersection, the “count to 2” rule can help avoid crashes. When your light turns green, count to 2 while you survey the intersection for any vehicles running their light or still in the way.
2. Make sure there is room for you: Take a peak at the direction you are headed and make sure there is enough room for you to get through the intersection.  If there’s not, stay put.
3. Focus and avoid distractions:  Remember that your primary job is paying attention to other traffic and getting yourself and your passengers to your destination safely. Avoid checking your emails and texts.

Have You Been Injured In A Car Accident At An Intersection And Need Help?

At Flattmann Law, we want to help people avoid accidents, but are there for you if you are in one. If you have been injured in a car accident contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today.

Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.