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American Morning
Phoenix Intersection Fourth in Ranking of 10 Most Dangerous
Aired June 27, 2001 - 11:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The number four intersection on the list of the ten most dangerous is where we find reporter Beth Perry with our affiliate KTVK.
Beth, good morning.
BETH PERRY, KTVK REPORTER: Good morning.
We're out at 7th Street and Bell. It is the fourth out of number 10, in terms of ranking. It's a busy intersection. State Farm agents tell us that is a common factor with all 10 of their most dangerous in the country.
This location, 7th Street and Bell, had 268 collisions out here. Our other intersection, 19th Avenue and Northern, took the number 7 slot, with 255 crashes. No doubt, out here at 7th Street and Bell, it is a dangerous intersection. Some crosses placed out here are indications of lives that were lost.
Despite State Farm statistics, Phoenix representatives say that 7th Street and Bell and 19th Avenue and Northern are average when it comes to danger. To that, State Farm says its crash estimates are often higher than local statistics because they use claim data from 1999 and 2000, minor accidents that people report to the insurance company aren't always reported to police.
People who drive through this intersection say they're not surprised it's in the top 10.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe it. There's a lot of red light running here at this corner.
PERRY: Do you think that's the problem?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of it. A lot of it -- speed. Bell Road is like the Indianapolis 500. They keep going.
PERRY: Does it make you a little nervous when you're in that intersection?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It sure. It sure does. You want to make even though you've got the green light that no one's coming. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think there's just too much traffic here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about them red light runners?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, they're no good.
I've got to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PERRY: The data collected by State Farm is not used just to monitor and then rank the intersections. They're offering up to $120,000 in safety upgrades to each of those 10 intersections.
And ironically if you get into an accident out here at this intersection or out at 19th Avenue and Northern, there's a State Farm office at both of those intersections.
KAGAN: How convenient, Beth.
PERRY: It's extremely convenient. You just take a little stroll that way, and you're in good hands -- no, that's someone else.
KAGAN: That is someone else.
Beside the conveniently located State Farm office, is anything else being done specifically to help these intersections?
PERRY: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said.
KAGAN: Besides the conveniently located insurance office...
PERRY: Right.
KAGAN: ... is anything else being done or suggested to improve these intersections, or are Phoenix officials just trying to avoid the issue because they don't want to draw attention to the dangerous intersections?
PERRY: Specifically, in Phoenix, I'm not sure what they're doing. Later on this morning, we're going to be talking with some of the Phoenix officials, to find out if they are going to be making any changes or if maybe they'll be taking up State Farm on their offer of that up to $120,000 in safety upgrades. That's a good possibility.
KAGAN: It would be money well received, no doubt.
I'm very familiar with 19th Avenue and Northern, because when I moved to Phoenix, to do the job you're doing now, Beth -- back in 19 (mumbling).
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: 18-what?
PERRY: I heard that -- right nearby.
KAGAN: My first apartment was very close to that intersection, and I'm here to tell the tale.
PERRY: I'll wave for you as we go by.
KAGAN: Appreciate it, Beth Perry -- my old station, KTVK -- thanks for that report.
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