Driving around St. George can sometimes feel pretty predictable—until it isn’t. Between busy intersections, rapid growth, construction, tourists unfamiliar with local roads, and traffic backing up farther than expected, Southern Utah drivers have plenty to pay attention to.

Each month at McMullin Injury Law, we react to real crashes caught on camera around St. George. While every accident is different, we tend to see many of the same mistakes over and over again: failure-to-yield left turns, red-light runners, rear-end collisions, and drivers failing to see pedestrians in crosswalks.

Many of these accidents happen in a matter of seconds. Here are a few things St. George drivers can watch for to help keep themselves—and everyone else on the road—safer.

Be Extra Careful When Making Left Turns in St. George

If you’ve watched any of our monthly Crash Reactions videos, you probably already know how often we talk about left turns.

Failure-to-yield accidents are some of the most common crashes we see around Southern Utah. A driver sees a green or yellow light, begins turning left, and fails to notice an approaching vehicle traveling straight through the intersection.

Unless you have a protected green arrow, don’t assume oncoming traffic is going to stop just because the light has turned yellow. Wait until you know the intersection is clear before completing your turn.

This is especially important at large, busy intersections where it can be difficult to judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles.

Taking an extra few seconds is always better than trying to squeeze through a questionable opening.

Watch for St. George Traffic Backups

St. George has grown quickly, and traffic patterns don’t always behave the way drivers expect.

One of the October crashes we reviewed occurred near 700 East and St. George Boulevard, where traffic had backed up several blocks from the freeway. A driver approaching the stopped traffic didn’t anticipate the backup and rear-ended the vehicle ahead.

This is an important reminder to look farther down the road instead of focusing only on the vehicle directly in front of you.

Traffic can back up quickly near I-15 exits, busy shopping areas, construction zones, school zones, and major intersections. Leave enough following distance that you have time to react if traffic suddenly slows or stops.

Red-Light Runners Can Cause Serious Car Accidents

A green light doesn’t necessarily mean you should immediately enter an intersection without looking.

Unfortunately, red-light running happens.

During our October Crash Reactions, we reviewed multiple accidents where a vehicle traveling straight entered the intersection after the light had turned red. One resulted in a particularly frightening collision near 100 South and River Road.

Even when you clearly have the right of way, take a quick look before entering an intersection—especially immediately after your light turns green.

Defensive driving doesn’t mean assuming you’re at fault or giving up your right of way. It simply means recognizing that other drivers make mistakes.

That extra second of awareness could prevent a serious St. George car accident.

Remember to Yield to Pedestrians and Cyclists

Southern Utah’s weather means pedestrians, runners, cyclists, and people riding scooters can be on our roads throughout much of the year.

Drivers making turns should always check crosswalks before proceeding.

In another October crash, pedestrians were crossing at Dixie Drive and Sunset Boulevard with the walk signal when a vehicle making a left turn entered their path.

When turning, drivers naturally tend to focus on approaching vehicles. But pedestrians may also have the right of way at the same time.

Before making your turn, check the crosswalk in both directions. This is particularly important near schools, parks, shopping centers, Utah Tech University, and other areas with heavier pedestrian traffic.

Know What to Do at Four-Way Stops

Four-way stops shouldn’t be complicated, but they can become confusing when several vehicles arrive at nearly the same time.

First, come to a complete stop.

Generally, the vehicle that arrives first proceeds first. When two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the driver on the left typically yields to the vehicle on the right.

Most importantly, don’t assume another driver knows it’s your turn.

Make eye contact when possible, pay attention to the other vehicle’s movement, and proceed cautiously. Being technically correct about the right of way won’t make an accident any less frustrating.

Southern Utah Construction Requires Extra Attention

Road construction has become a familiar sight around St. George and surrounding communities.

Construction can change lanes, traffic patterns, turn access, speed limits, and the locations where traffic begins backing up. Even roads you’ve driven hundreds of times may suddenly look different.

Slow down in construction zones, give yourself extra space, and watch signs rather than relying entirely on habit.

Drivers should be especially careful when construction affects already-busy roads such as Bluff Street and other major St. George corridors.

What to Do After a Southern Utah Car Accident

Even careful drivers can’t prevent every accident.

If you’re involved in a crash, make sure everyone is safe and seek medical attention when necessary. Document the scene when it is safe to do so, exchange information with the other driver, and report the accident as required.

If you’ve been injured, dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, vehicle repairs, and missed work can quickly become overwhelming.

A St. George personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options, determine available insurance coverage, and handle the claims process while you focus on recovering.

At McMullin Injury Law, our personal injury attorneys help people throughout St. George, Cedar City, and Southern Utah after car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other injuries caused by negligence.

We hope you never need an injury attorney. But if an accident happens, we’re here to answer your questions, make the process a little less stressful, and help you get life back to normal.