The Glendale Police Department released a list of the 10 most dangerous intersections in the city on Thursday.

Glendale has seen fatal vehicle collisions almost double from 2014 to 2016, officials said.

Sgt. Scott Waite of the Glendale Police provided statistics on the number of fatal collisions that have occurred in Glendale over the past three years. 

In 2014, there were 18 fatal collisions in Glendale, followed by 25 in 2015 and 31 in 2016, said Glendale police  Sgt. Scott Waite.

Waite said police have identified 10 of the most dangerous intersections in Glendale, based on traffic collisions:

• 59th Avenue and Bell Road.
• 67th Avenue  and Bell Road.
• 83rd Avenue and Bell Road.
• 59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
• 51st Avenue and Olive Avenue.
• 59th Avenue and Olive Avenue.
• 51st Ave and Northern Avenue.
• 59th Avenue and Northern Avenue.
• 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
• 67th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Most are located near shopping centers. One is next to a mall, another near a medical center and another right next to Glendale Community College

On Thursday, police began focusing patrols on the intersections, starting with Thunderbird Road and 59th Avenue. 

“We will be having certain motor squads all enforcing traffic violations around that specific intersection,” said Waite.

“They will also be strictly enforcing criminal speeding. If you are going 21 over the speed limit there is a good chance you will be arrested,” he said.

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Future enforcement zones will be placed at the other intersections that have seen the highest number of fatal traffic collisions, according to Glendale police. 

Glendale police say they will publicize and broadcast the locations of the enforcement zones ahead of time through social media and other outlets. Police want the public to know where the zones are and to change their driving behavior. 

The city’s Transportation Division, as well as other departments, are joining with the police department to promote and educate safe driving habits. Educating the public on the affects of speeding, aggressive and distracted driving, impairment, seat belt usage and motorcycle safety all will help reduce fatal collisions, police said.

“I think we live in a society where everyone is in a rush. People drive faster and cram more stuff into their day,” Waite said.

“I also think that distracted driving has become a big problem. Studies have shown that a large part of the population drives while texting, checking social media or other distractions.”

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