According to the Alabama Department of Transportation’s 2024 Crash Facts, Lee County experienced 2,690 intersection-related crashes in 2024. During that same year, 25 people lost their lives in traffic crashes, and 11 of those fatalities involved apparent alcohol or drug impairment.
While statewide crash reports provide the bigger picture, Auburn’s Comprehensive Traffic Study and the City of Opelika’s Safety Action Plan help identify local traffic patterns and highlight where safety improvements continue to be a priority.
What Auburn’s Traffic Study Found
The City of Auburn analyzed crash history, traffic volumes, roadway design, and crash severity to identify intersections where engineering improvements could have the greatest impact.
Among the intersections with the highest observed crash counts were:
- South College Street at East University Drive and Shug Jordan Parkway (194 observed crashes)
- Opelika Road at East University Drive (154 observed crashes)
- South College Street at Longleaf Drive (152 observed crashes)
These intersections are not necessarily Auburn’s “most dangerous.” Rather, they are among the city’s busiest roadways, carrying thousands of vehicles every day. Higher traffic volumes naturally create more opportunities for collisions.
City engineers found recurring crash patterns involving left-turn conflicts, rear-end collisions, heavy congestion, and vehicles entering and exiting nearby businesses. Their recommendations included updated traffic signal timing, turn lane improvements, and other roadway modifications designed to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes.
Traffic Safety Is a Priority Across Lee County
Auburn isn’t the only community working to improve roadway safety.
According to the City of Opelika’s Safety Action Plan, the city recorded 8,287 reported crashes between 2020 and 2024. Of those crashes:
- 27 were fatal crashes
- 113 involved suspected serious injuries
- 572 involved non-incapacitating injuries
- 1,014 involved possible injuries
- 6,491 resulted in property damage only
While most reported crashes did not result in serious injuries, the data demonstrates why traffic safety remains a priority as Opelika continues to grow and invest in roadway improvements.
What Causes Most Crashes?
One of the most interesting findings from Auburn’s traffic study is that weather was not the primary factor in most crashes. Instead, everyday driving behaviors played the biggest role.
The City’s analysis found that the leading contributing circumstances were:
- Following too closely (22%)
- Failure to yield the right of way (21.5%)
- Distracted driving (16%)
- Improper traffic movements (12.3%)
Those findings closely mirror the 2024 Alabama Crash Facts, which identifies failure to yield, following too closely, improper lane changes, speeding, and impaired driving among the leading contributing circumstances in crashes across Alabama.
The takeaway is simple. Most crashes are preventable, and practicing defensive driving habits can significantly reduce your risk behind the wheel.
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What This Means for Drivers
Whether you’re traveling along South College Street, Opelika Road, Glenn Avenue, East University Drive, Shug Jordan Parkway, or anywhere else in Lee County, staying alert and driving defensively can make all the difference.
Simple habits like eliminating distractions, leaving extra following distance, slowing down near busy intersections, and never driving under the influence help protect not only you, but everyone else sharing the road.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Auburn, Opelika, or anywhere in Lee County, understanding your legal rights is an important first step toward recovery.
The experienced Trip Walton and his team of personal injury attorneys at Walton Law Firm proudly represent accident victims throughout East Alabama. If you’ve been injured because of another driver’s negligence, we’re here to help.
Contact Walton Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.
Sources
- Alabama Department of Transportation – 2024 Crash Facts
https://www.caps.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ALDOT-2024-Crash-Facts.pdf - City of Auburn – Comprehensive Traffic Study (Crash Evaluation)
https://www.auburnal.gov/engineering-services/traffic-study/ - City of Auburn – Crash Study Report (PDF)
https://static.auburnalabama.org/media/apps/www/engineering-services/traffic-study/section%202%20crash%20study.pdf - City of Opelika – Safety Action Plan
https://www.opelika-al.gov/1198/Safety-Action-Plan
