Local

Study identifies worst Charlotte intersections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials investigated 9 percent more crashes in 2016 than it did in 2015, according to the city's newest traffic study.

The report breaks down the number of crashes every year, the worst intersections and how Charlotte plans to keep citizens safe.

In 2016, people got into more than 30,000 crashes across Charlotte, with 53 of them deadly.

Charlotte's analysis of the crashes found that most happened on Fridays and during the evening drive home, especially around 5 p.m.

In 2015, there were nearly 28,000 crashes, with 44 being fatal.

Officials also identified the three worst intersections for crashes:

-- Reagan Drive and Tom Hunter Road in northeast Charlotte. The North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to put an all-way stop there.

-- East 12th and North Davidson streets.

-- East Ninth and North College streets. The city plans to put a roundabout there.

Charlotte Department of Transportation officials said this report allows them to address any safety issues, especially if there's a trend over several years. The report also plays a role in capital spending projects.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made a public apology on Twitter Thursday night after a comment he made to a female reporter.

“My word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women,” Newton said. “To be honest, that was not my intentions.”

If anyone who took offense, he apologized to them, as well.

He said he tries to be a positive role model in the community and inspire others.

He takes ownership to that responsibility.

“What I did was extremely unacceptable,” he said.