IF YOU THINK THOSE ROADS IN TAMPA/ST. PETE/ORLANDO/MIAMI ARE DANGEROUS...

Every year about this time Polk County's Traffic Engineering Department crunches it's stats from during the previous year to determine it's Top Ten List of the Most Dangerous Intersections In Polk County. These are the locations that have experienced the highest number of accidents during 2004, based on the TED's figures. So if you ever drive through our kindly little piece of geography, these are corners that you want to make sure that your auto insurance is paid up or avoid:

10) U.S. 17 and Sixth Street, Northwest (Winter Haven): On the edge of downtown, Sixth Street is used by folks to access Lake Howard Drive as a quicker way to the Inwood area and to Auburndale. U.S. 17 is the main throughfare north/south through town. Throw in a usually busy McDonald's restaurant at mealtime or after school... 38 crashes occured here last year, many rear-enders from people trying to beat the red light.

T-8) South Florida Avenue and Polk Parkway (Lakeland): A fast growing area of South Lakeland. More people are using the local toll road, but mainly folks in a hurry to beat the light. 39 accidents here in 2004.

T-8) U.S. 27 and Lee Jackson Highway (Haines City): The entire U.S. 27 corridor in northeast Polk County has blossomed over the past several years, and Haines City annexed the area last year. This corner has 39 crashes last year, and will keep the HCPD busy, 'cause it'll only get busier with new development.

7) Combee Road and U.S. 92 (Lakeland): This is in the midst of a busy business area just east of downtown Lakeland, and most of the wrecks here are the result of people leaving those businesses. Gotta be real careful pulling out of here. 40 accidents in 2004.

6) South Florida Avenue and County Road 540A (Lakeland): This intersection was number two on the list last year; this year, is falls four spaces with only 41 wrecks. The Florida Highway Patrol says most of the problem here is folks not yielding the right of way. It's in a fast growing area of South Lakeland, near Mulberry

5) U.S. 27 and Deen Still Road/County Road 54 (Davenport): In northeast Polk, and a lot of people use it as a back door to the usually-crunched Champion's Gate or an alternate to I-4. In 42 cases during 2004, the driver likely wished otherwise.

4) North Florida Avenue and Memorial Boulevard (Lakeland): Just on the edge of downtown Lakeland, it was the sight of 46 accidents last year. Lots of people get off I-4 at Memorial Boulevard to avoid the mess heading into town on U.S. 98, and lots of folks using North Florida heading toward Lakeland Regional Medical Centre or Lakeland Square Mall.

T-2) U.S. 17 and Havendale Boulevard (Winter Haven): This intersection was tops on the list for three years running, but falls a couple of spaces due to only 47 accidents there in 2004. The primary north entry into central Winter Haven, it has a major shopping center and Albertson's grocery at one corner, a couple of busy restaurants at another, and a Target (formerly K-Mart) at another.

T-2) U.S. 98 at Van Fleet Drive/State Road 60 Bypass (Bartow): Two major roadways for people coming to Bartow to do business with the county government. Add to that construction that has been going on, and you have on corner that you want to keep your eyes out at. Two shopping centres here, and U.S. 98 in this stretch is Bartow's "Restaurant Row".

And the intersection that is now considered the Most Dangerous Intersection In Polk County...

1) U.S. 27 at State Road 540 (Unincorporated): This corner is located between Winter Haven and Lake Wales, near Cypress Gardens Adventure Park and the area's Eagle Ridge Mall. 48 crashes occured here in 2004, and the Florida Highway Patrol says many of the accidents are due to people not allowing people who have the right of way to get through.