Lebanon, PA, has a lot of traffic accidents. Lebanon County has 1.1% of Pennsylvania’s population but 1.3% of the state’s traffic accidents. While this might seem like a small difference, this means that Lebanon County had 200 more car accidents in 2020 than it should be based on its size.
Most of the accidents in Lebanon happen in places that a person might expect. The major highways in Lebanon have the greatest number of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities.
Here is some information about the most dangerous roads and intersections in Lebanon, PA, and how to navigate them.
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Car Accidents in Lebanon, PA
In 2020, Lebanon County had 1,317 traffic accidents. These traffic accidents resulted in 19 deaths, including one pedestrian fatality. Over 530 accidents caused at least one injury. The remaining 766 accidents only damaged property.
Within the city of Lebanon, 23 people have died in fatal car crashes since 2005. These accidents tend to cluster around five roads and three intersections.
US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Cumberland Street
US-422 provides a major east-west route connecting Hershey to King of Prussia. Within the Lebanon city limits, US-422 divides across two roads. Westbound traffic travels on Cumberland Street while eastbound traffic travels on Walnut Street.
East of the city, US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway is a four-lane undivided highway with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. As it enters the city, the speed limit first drops to 35 miles per hour and then drops again to 25 miles per hour. The road becomes Cumberland Street and narrows to a two-lane one-way road.
Within the city, seven people have died on US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Cumberland Street since 2005. One of those people was a pedestrian killed at the intersection of US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Cumberland Street and 16th Street.
Over the same period, the road has also been the site of over a hundred injury-only accidents, making Cumberland Street the most dangerous road in Lebanon.
Outside the city, US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway fares even worse. Between Palmyra and Myerstown, 32 people have died in traffic accidents on US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway since 2005. These accidents include three accidents that caused multiple fatalities.
US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Walnut Street
As US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway enters Lebanon from the west, it is a two-lane highway divided with a center turn lane. The posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour drops to 25 miles per hour at 16th Street.
Eastbound traffic gets diverted to 12th Street as US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Cumberland Street becomes a one-way street. Motorists traveling east on US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway eventually get diverted to Walnut Street.
Over the past 15 years, US-422/Benjamin Franklin Highway/Walnut Street had one fatal accident and dozens of injury-only accidents. The fatal accident involved a drunk driver and resulted in one death and one injury.
SR-72/9th Street
SR-72 connects Lebanon to Cornwall in the south and US-22, I-78, and I-81 in the north. As with US-422, traffic on SR-72 divides across two roads in Lebanon. Northbound traffic travels on 9th Street while southbound traffic travels on 10th Street. Traffic on SR-72 comes together again on Maple Street on the city’s north end.
9th Street is a two-lane one-way road with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. This section of SR-72 has seen two fatal traffic accidents in the past 15 years.
Maple Street is a two-lane road with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour. This section of SR-72 has seen three fatal accidents since 2005. These accidents include one fatal pedestrian accident and one fatal drunk driving accident.
In total, SR-72 has had five fatal accidents and dozens of injury-only accidents in the past 15 years.
12th Street
12th Street is not a major road. But it does connect several major roads as it runs north and south, including Walnut Street, Cumberland Street, and Maple Street.
Despite being a quiet two-lane road with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, this road has seen four fatal accidents and nearly 20 injury-only accidents since 2005. Half of these accidents happened at one of Lebanon’s most dangerous intersections described later.
SR-897/5th Avenue
Strictly speaking, the most dangerous section of SR-897/5th Avenue does not fall within Lebanon’s city limits. But the short half-mile section between Metro Drive and Klein Avenue has seen three fatalities in the past 15 years. The worst accident on this road was a drunk driving accident that killed two people.
8th Street and Lehman Street
The most dangerous intersection in Lebanon for pedestrians is at 8th Street and Lehman Street. In the past 15 years, two pedestrians have been killed at this intersection.
This intersection sits adjacent to Monument Park. It is also less than a block from Lebanon Middle School. The location likely plays a large role in the number of pedestrian accidents.
12th Street and US-422
12th Street and US-422 come together to form one of the busiest intersections in Lebanon. Several businesses, including a gas station and a drug store, are located near the intersection.
This intersection also marks the start of one-way traffic on Cumberland Street. As a result, eastbound motorists on US-422 must divert onto 12th Street.
Since 2005, two fatal traffic accidents have happened at this intersection, including one fatal pedestrian accident.
16th Street and US-422
This intersection is the most dangerous in Lebanon. Since 2006, this single intersection has had three fatal accidents and over 30 non-fatal accidents. This intersection has several businesses nearby, contributing to congestion on both US-422 and 16th Street.
This is also where the speed limit for motorists on US-422 drops from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Distracted drivers tend to miss the change and rear-end other cars.
Navigating the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Lebanon, PA
The most dangerous roads in Lebanon are also its busiest. US-422 provides a major route for cities, townships, and boroughs south of I-81 and I-78. As congestion increases, the risk of traffic accidents also increases.
As you drive around Lebanon, you should wear your seatbelt and watch your speed. Speeding causes about one-third of all accidents in Pennsylvania, and seatbelt use reduces your risk of serious injuries or death by over 45%.To discuss your accident on the roads and intersections of Lebanon, PA, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at (717) 995-8963 for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Lebanon, PA.