Springfield ranked 5th riskiest city to drive in the U.S. as crashes mount

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Emergency crews responded to Page Boulevard in Springfield three times in 72 hours, following three major crashes on Boston Road earlier in the week - two of which were deadly. The surge in collisions comes as a new Allstate report ranks Springfield the fifth riskiest city to drive in nationwide.

On Tuesday, a three-car crash near the 1300 block of Page Boulevard sent at least one person to the hospital after rescuers cut them from the wreckage. Two more crashes followed Thursday near Carlos and Tremont Streets.

‘We need some help over here’

Doris Roberson, a resident who said she has witnessed more than 10 accidents in two years, said the pattern has become familiar.

“We’ve sort of gotten used to knowing that it’s getting ready to happen because we hear boom and, all of a sudden, we stand up and it’s an accident,” Roberson explained.

Roberson said she is not surprised by the Allstate ranking or by its financial consequences.

“I’m not surprised...because my insurance is sky high,” she said.

Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said the city’s reputation affects his own wallet as well.

“That’s why my insurance is so high,” Walsh said.

Speed a factor on long, straight roads

Police said the layout of streets like Page Boulevard contributes to the problem.

“Those stretches of road, where you can kind of pick up some speed and, you know, that kind of leads to some issues,” Walsh explained.

The city has attempted to address the issue by installing new rotaries and narrowing lanes on some streets. Police said they are continuing high-visibility patrols and strategic traffic stops to curb speeding. Officers also remind pedestrians to remain visible at night and never assume a driver can see them.

Roberson said she hopes the attention brings change to her block.

“I’m just glad that you’re here and that you’re seeing that we need some help over here in this area,” she said.