Be safe and stay alert with our list of accident-prone hotspots and slowest traffic lights to avoid.
Hey there — this is Roman from Express Towing, and I’ve got stories for days. When you’ve towed thousands of vehicles up and down Northeast Atlanta, you get to know more than just people’s favorite takeout spots. You learn which intersections are infamous for fender benders, crunching bumpers, engine stalls, short left lane blockage by stalled vehicles and worse.
Over the past 15+ years, we have recovered countless emergency calls across Gwinnett County, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Duluth, and more. Some spots? We could tow there blindfolded (don’t worry, we won’t). So whether you are new to the area or a veteran commuter, this list is to alert you about danger patterns and remind drivers about safe driving.
Here’s our inside look at the 7 most dangerous intersections in Northeast Atlanta, complete with stats, traffic patterns, and real-world rescue stories from the side of the road.
1. Pleasant Hill Road from Buford Highway to Peachtree Industrial Blvd (Duluth)
If you have ever tried crossing this beast during rush hour, you already know. These intersections count over 60,000 vehicles daily, and with the mix of turning lanes, shopping entrances, and confused out-of-towners makes it a prime crash magnet.
Why It’s Risky:
- Left turns without protective arrows
- Drivers speeding to make the green
- Constant pedestrian traffic
We’re called to these intersections and nearby streets at least once a week, sometimes more. One of the worst we saw was a three-car pileup during a Saturday lunch rush — the culprit was a delivery driver trying to cut across three lanes. Our most recent accident recovery on Pleasant Hill and Peachtree Industrial where 2 cars collided head-on with all passengers injured and taken to hospital, both cars are totaled with an immeasurable amount of hazardous fluids (engine oil, breaks fluid, coolant) and sharp broken body parts. We quickly loaded cars and cleaned up the road to restore normal and safe traffic patterns. Our flatbed tow trucks equipped with wheels lift allowing us to pull 2 cars at a time as well as all other tools to make sure any job is done efficiently.
Express Towing Tip:
Avoid Pleasant Hill during lunch (12–2 PM) and evening (5–7 PM) if possible. If you break down here, call us fast — stalled cars back up traffic in minutes.
2. Satellite Blvd & Sugarloaf Parkway (Lawrenceville)
This is the Bermuda Triangle of minor accidents. Located near the Infinite Energy Center, it’s always packed before and after concerts or conventions.
Crash Stats:
According to GDOT, there were over 110 accidents reported in 2023 alone just at this intersection.
Why It’s Risky:
- Overlapping turn lanes
- Distracted drivers leaving events
- Inconsistent traffic light cycles
We’ve pulled everything from overheated minivans to totaled sedans out of this zone.
Fun Fact:
One night, a guy locked his keys inside his truck while double parked trying to buy last-minute concert merch. We towed the truck and got him in through the passenger side — just before the tow-away zone kicked in.
3. Old Milton Parkway & North Point Parkway (Alpharetta)
Big tech campus traffic meets North Fulton shopping chaos. There are four separate business plaza entrances right off the intersection — and everyone’s trying to turn at once.
Major Issue:
Delayed green lights and impatient left-turners make this a recipe for rear-end collisions.
Express Insight:
We once pulled a Lexus out of a flowerbed after a driver tried to beat a red light… and instead slid across two medians. No injuries — just a bruised ego and a landscaping bill.
4. Highway 29 & Ronald Reagan Parkway (Lilburn/Norcross border)
This one is brutal — especially during rain. The ramps to and from Ronald Reagan are curved, slick, and unforgiving, especially for those drivers who speed and cut off others.
Stats That Matter:
This interchange saw over 130 accidents in 2022, many due to speeding or hydroplaning.
Why It’s Tough:
- Sharp exit curves
- Poor drainage
- Inconsistent lighting at night
- Speeding
Our heaviest call volume here happens on rainy evenings. We’ve winched multiple sedans from the same muddy embankment near the outer shoulder.
Gwinnett County Accident Overview (2022): 26,522 total crashes, resulting in 13,331 injuries and 79 fatalities, placing Gwinnett among Georgia’s top accident-heavy counties (according to hammerslawfirm.com). Speeding was a factor in ~20% of fatal crashes, with 10 fatal accidents due to speed violations in Gwinnett. Distracted driving (phone use) remains a top issue—nearly 12,000 crashes in 2019 were attributed to distraction.
5. Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road & I-85 Exit Ramp
The ramp itself is short, with merging traffic from multiple directions. Add in weekend shoppers heading to the Sugarloaf Mills Mall, and you’ve got a circus.
Crash Factors:
- Quick merges
- Sudden lane changes
- Distracted drivers
If we had a dollar for every rear-end collision here from someone slamming brakes last-minute, we’d probably buy another truck.
Towing Experience:
We coordinate with the Gwinnett PD to clear stalled vehicles quickly to prevent further pileups. It’s one of those spots where 5 extra minutes stalled can lead to 5 more cars crashing.
6. Holcomb Bridge Road & Peachtree Industrial Blvd (Norcross)
This is a major commuting corridor that backs up fast. Heavy truck traffic and awkward median breaks make for confusion and congestion.
Our Insights:
We responded to 38 calls from this intersection in 2024 alone, including five multi-vehicle incidents. Tractor trailers often misjudge turning radius here and end up blocking multiple lanes. Our drivers have helped reroute traffic and tow away box trucks within minutes to avoid 30-minute backups.
7. Scenic Highway & Sugarloaf Parkway (Lawrenceville)
In 2022, Lawrenceville recorded 1,241 crashes, causing 527 injuries and 7 fatalities independently of county totals. This intersection brings together highway-speed traffic with local stop-and-go patterns. The visibility isn’t great, and left-turners often misjudge timing.
Why It’s Dangerous:
- Blinding sun glare during sunset hours
- Speeding downhill
- Teens from nearby schools trying to zip through
We’re often called after school lets out. It’s a hotspot for accidents involving student drivers or folks unfamiliar with the road layout.
Other Dangerous Intersections in Lawrenceville:
SR 124 (Scenic Hwy) & Jackson/New Hope Rd – 126 accidents, 1 fatality (2020–22)
E Crogan St & Buford Dr/Jackson St – 20 accidents, 1 fatal (2022)
W Pike St & Buford Dr – 21 accidents (2022)
The Role of Towing Services in Accidents and Safety Management
Let’s be honest: traffic incidents aren’t always avoidable. But what happens next makes all the difference — especially for public safety.
At Express Towing, we don’t just tow cars, we also:
- Clear roads quickly to prevent secondary accidents (apply oil dry, setup traffic cones, sweeping sharp body parts, debris, etc)
- Work with Duluth and Norcross PD as first responders
- Help reroute traffic in active intersections
How to Protect Yourself on the Road?
- Stay off your phone, especially when turning left
- Use apps like Waze or Google Maps to check live traffic backups
- Avoid peak hours at high-risk intersections
- If your car stalls, turn on hazards and get to the shoulder fast
- Get out of your car if it’s in-lane and you can’t move it – it is extremely dangerous. Wait on the shoulder or side of the road until help arrives.
- Save Express Towing’s number in your phone ahead of time
- Don’t engage into road rage
- Double check your blind zones before changing lanes.
- Always keep a portable battery jump box in your trunk.
Drive Smart, Stay Safe, and Call Local Towing
Northeast Atlanta suburbs are growing fast, and with more people comes more traffic and therefore more accidents. The key is to drive smart and peaceful, know your roads and risks. If you ever get stuck at one of these dangerous intersections — or anywhere in Gwinnett or Fulton — call Express Towing. We are local, fast, and always ready to help.