[Study] The Most Dangerous Intersections in San Diego County

Intersections can be dangerous places. Drivers must navigate multiple lanes, traffic signals, turning vehicles, and pedestrians. Distractions, urgency, and sudden stops can quickly create situations that lead to serious crashes. One of the most dangerous types of collisions at intersections is the T-bone crash, which occurs when the side of a vehicle is struck. These crashes are often severe because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear, putting drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at higher risk of injury.

At Miller & Steele Law Firm, we believe that all crashes are preventable, and raising awareness is a key strategy for safer roads. That’s why we partnered with data visualization firm 1Point21Interactive to compile a list of the 15 most dangerous intersections across San Diego County. Using state crash data from 2021 to 2025, we defined these locations as the most-crash-prone intersections over the five-year study period, with injury total used as a tie-breaker.

Read on to learn more about our findings.

Intersection Crashes by City

Even though San Diego recorded more than a third of all crashes in San Diego County, only one intersection ranked among the fifteen most dangerous in the county. This suggests that while many intersections in the city have experienced crashes, the concentration at any single location is lower than in other prominent cities, such as Oceanside and Escondido, which accounted for 11.48% and 9.72% of the top-ranked intersections, respectively.

San Diego County Intersection Crash Ranking

The intersections listed below represent the most crash-prone intersections in all of San Diego County. When intersections recorded the same number of crashes, the number of injuries was used as a tie-breaker. Additional counts on death and pedestrian-related crashes are also included, along with an interactive map that you may use to zoom in on areas of interest. Dot size corresponds to the number of crashes recorded per intersection

The sole San Diego intersection ranked at the top with 32 crashes, 13 injuries, and one death over the study period is Camino De La Plaza and Interstate 5 (Southbound), located just north of the Otay Mesa border crossing. Commercial truckers, cross-border travelers, and commuters all use this interchange. Given the high vehicle volume and the speed differences between the highway and surface streets, crashes may be more likely at this location.

Six of the other most dangerous intersections in San Diego County are located in Escondido, while five are in Oceanside, two are in Carlsbad, and one is in Chula Vista.

The intersection that recorded the most injuries, College Boulevard and Oceanside Boulevard, ranked second in crash count with 27 crashes and 31 injuries. While deaths are much less common, the only other intersection that recorded a fatality over the five-year period, apart from the top-ranked location, was Mission Avenue and Centre City Parkway, with 20 crashes and 13 injuries.

Additionally, the intersection at Ash Street and Valley Parkway in Escondido stands out with three pedestrian-involved crashes. Four other intersections on the list also had pedestrian incidents, though none resulted in fatalities.

Notably, the intersection of State Route 78 (Westbound) and Interstate 5 in Oceanside, which ranked twelfth with 19 crashes, is already the focus of a planned infrastructure improvement effort. The I-5/SR-78 Interchange Improvement Project, led by SANDAG, Caltrans, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area.

Interactive Map: The Most Dangerous Intersections in San Diego

Intersection Safety Tips

There are alternative intersection designs that have been studied and implemented in recent years to reduce crash risk and make collisions less severe. These include roundabouts, diverging diamond interchanges, restricted crossing U-turns, and other innovative layouts. While several areas, including some in San Diego County, have begun implementing these designs, such improvements take time and do not happen overnight.

Regardless of roadway design, certain safety precautions are always worth keeping in mind. As a driver, it’s especially important to remain alert for pedestrians and cyclists, even when one may not expect them. At signalized intersections, consider pausing for a couple of seconds after the light turns green before proceeding. This brief pause can help prevent conflicts with vehicles that may still be clearing the intersection.

Moreover, while waiting at a red light, some drivers may use the time to change the radio station, grab something from behind, or check their phones. However, staying distraction-free is critical. Even small lapses in attention can make the difference between a safe trip and a serious crash.

At highway interchanges, where vehicles are merging at higher speeds, drivers should be especially mindful of lane positioning and speed adjustments. Use turn signals early, check blind spots carefully, and avoid sudden braking whenever possible.

Methodology

Using the most recent five years of crash data from the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) covering 2021 through 2025, we counted crashes that occurred within 100 feet of intersecting roads and ranked them to compile our list of the 15 most crash-prone intersections in San Diego County. When intersections recorded the same number of crashes, injury totals were used as a tie-breaker.

Fair Use Statement

If you’d like to spread awareness of intersection safety in San Diego County, we invite you to do so. We just ask that any republication of our findings include a link back to this page so readers can reference the full study and methodology.