Burbank’s streets may appear calm and orderly, but some intersections hide risks that aren’t obvious at first glance. For local drivers, daily commuters, and families, certain hotspots have earned a troubling reputation for repeated crashes. In the aftermath of these incidents, many turn to a Burbank car accident attorney for legal guidance – but the first step toward safety is understanding where the risks lie. In this article, we’ll spotlight the intersections that residents consistently flag as the most hazardous, and why approaching them with caution is crucial.

Glenoaks Boulevard & Lincoln Street: Pedestrian Peril at a Wide Arterial

One tragic case in 2017 involved a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Glenoaks Boulevard and Lincoln Street. That crash was one of three fatal collisions recorded on Glenoaks within Burbank between 2017 and 2021, including a motorcycle-vs.-vehicle incident at Cornell Drive in 2019 and another multi-vehicle collision at Andover Drive in 2021.

Glenoaks Boulevard is a major artery with over 30,000 vehicles daily; yet intersections such as Lincoln and Cornell – with high-speed through lanes and inadequate pedestrian crossings – have proven especially dangerous. Drivers often speed through long green phases, only to surprise cross-traffic or pedestrians who lack sufficient crossing time. Visibility can be limited by parked cars or signage, and signal timing has been criticized for favoring throughput over safety.

Burbank Boulevard & Victory Place: Collision Capital of the City

Perhaps the most infamous crash site in Burbank is the intersection of Burbank Boulevard and Victory Place. From 2015 to 2020, this corner recorded more than 50 accidents, making it the most crash-prone intersection in the city. One key factor: this intersection handles peak-hour flows exceeding 6,400 vehicles per hour during rush times.

Drivers turning on yellow lights often collide with oncoming traffic pushing through a late yellow or early red, creating a perfect storm. Despite the city experimenting with longer yellow and all-red phases, driver behavior eventually adjusts – and collisions return to previous levels. Locals describe left-turn crashes, sideswipes, and rear-enders as frequent occurrences – even when there are no fatalities, the risk of serious injury is significant.

Olive Avenue & Buena Vista Street: A Dangerous Mix of Speed and Turning Conflict

At the cross of Olive Avenue and Buena Vista Street, residents report frequent accidents involving vehicles hitting fixed objects or turning vehicles misjudging gaps. The city recorded about 45 collisions from 2015 to 2020, including two that caused severe injuries – not from car-on-car crashes, but due to drivers striking poles or curbs in turning maneuvers.

What makes this intersection dangerous is a combination of high traffic volume, narrow turning radii, and inconsistent timing. Drivers turning from Olive onto Buena Vista often misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic on the multi-lane major street. Visibility issues, especially when turning across three lanes, further compound risk. Several resident-led petitions have demanded improved turn lane signage and signal modifications, though progress has been slow.

Buena Vista & Victory Boulevard: Speed Meets Decision Zones

Third on the crash count is Buena Vista Street and Victory Boulevard, which recorded about 41 accidents between 2015 and 2020. This intersection is another example of misaligned expectations: traffic signal timing meant to help flow conflicts with driver impatience and high-volume throughput.

Even though no fatalities were officially reported in this location over that span, the risk of serious injury is clear. Congestion during rush hours leads to impatient drivers cutting through via side streets, making unpredictable turns or accelerating through stale yellow lights. The failure to adjust signal phase timing based on peak behavior has been noted in city traffic safety reviews.

North San Fernando Boulevard & Buena Vista Street: Intersection Plus Railroad Crossover

Perhaps the most complex and dangerous intersection in Burbank is the zone where North San Fernando Boulevard meets North Buena Vista Street, just south of a Metrolink railroad crossing. In 2003, a fatal collision occurred when a truck turned left onto Buena Vista after the signals switched to flashing red due to an approaching train. The truck drove around lowered gates and was struck – and partially dragged – by the commuter train, resulting in multiple injuries and a fatality.

Studies by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) pinpointed failures in signal coordination, absence of raised medians, and confusion caused by flashing traffic and grade-crossing lights. While the incident happened two decades ago, locals say the intersection remains unpredictable when trains approach, and signal timing continues to perplex even regular commuters.

Why These Intersections Keep Drawing Crashes

Intersections such as Burbank Boulevard, Glenoaks, and Buena Vista serve as commuter corridors funneling tens of thousands of cars into the city each day. Even small timing errors or distracted drivers amplify risk when volumes are so high.

Signal Timing That Allows Driver Gaming

City officials acknowledge that yellow and all red extensions initially reduce accidents – but only temporarily. Drivers learn new timing patterns and begin testing limits again. Without adaptive signal plans that adjust to real-world driver behavior, intersections revert to dangerous norms after brief improvements Visibility Restrictions and Turning Complexity

Narrow turn lanes, parked cars, raised medians, and signage all affect visibility. Research underscores that restricted sightlines drastically increase crash risk at intersections – a phenomenon observed across dense urban areas such as Burbank. When drivers must rely on split-second judgment without clear visuals, collisions become more likely arxiv.org.

The Role of Public Works and Police

The City of Burbank’s Public Works and Police Departments collaborate on collision evaluation and traffic-calming strategies. A December 2021 staff report outlined crash histories on 6th Street, Kenneth Road, Bel Aire Drive, Sunset Canyon Drive, and Glenoaks Boulevard, noting that Glenoaks accounted for 6.47% of city-wide collisions despite being only 2.2% of lane mileage.

City commissions have proposed improvements: smaller curb radii, better crosswalk lighting, adjusted signal timing, and increased enforcement. But while plans such as the Glenoaks CIP (Capital Improvement Project) aim to boost safety, residents say the execution remains slow – and conditions at hot spots persist.

When Drivers Need More Than Just Awareness

Understanding high-risk intersections is critical – but sometimes, even awareness isn’t enough. When crashes cause injury or vehicle damage, victims often seek legal counsel. An experienced Burbank car accident attorney can help evaluate claims, manage insurance disputes, or pursue compensation.

Attorneys with local knowledge of traffic patterns, signal cycle issues, and police reports can be invaluable. They understand how to interpret intersection history – and even advocate for signage upgrades or timing modifications when accident patterns are clear. In many cases, accident victims report that legal involvement catalyzes city response where public advocacy had stalled.

How Awareness Can Help Every Day Commuters

Even without major legal reforms or infrastructure upgrades, everyday drivers can take steps to reduce their personal risk. Exercising extra caution at intersections frequently flagged by locals – especially during peak commuting hours – can significantly lower the chance of an accident. Minimizing distractions – such as phone use, adjusting the radio, or multitasking – becomes even more critical when approaching known danger zones.

Intersection safety rests on a combination of design, enforcement, and awareness. While Burbank’s most dangerous crossings continue to draw concern, the spotlight is turning toward solutions: upgraded signals, infrastructure changes, and driver education. And when collisions occur, local firms stand ready to help victims fight for accountability. In a city where traffic flows can suddenly turn perilous, knowing the risks – and knowing your legal options – can make all the difference.