How the most dangerous intersections and streets in Hampshire County were ranked by the Gazette

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To determine the most dangerous roads and intersections in Hampshire County’s most-traveled towns, the Gazette analyzed 2010 Massachusetts Department of Transportation crash data and applied a formula that considers crash severity.

Using the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s Top 100 High-Crash Intersections in the Pioneer Valley Region 2003-2005 methodology as a model, the Gazette determined the most dangerous spots this way:

First, the Gazette identified which streets and intersections in Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley, Northampton and South Hadley had the most accidents. A weighting formula was then applied: 1 point for crashes that resulted in property damage over $1,000 but no injuries; 5 points for crashes that resulted in nonfatal injuries; and 10 points for fatal crashes.

Under this system, a street with 10 accidents involving injuries, for example, would be ranked as more dangerous than a street with 20 accidents but no injuries.