Though it's something many people do each day, driving on familiar streets can be one of the most dangerous activities in which we regularly participate. Even on a street that you've traveled on hundreds of times, the unexpected can happen and disaster arises. Tragedy struck at one of Gainesville's most travelled intersections this week, as five vehicles collided and resulted in multiple car accident injuries.

A van sitting at the busy intersection was struck from behind by a Kia, driven by someone that had run a red light at a previous intersection. This crash caused the Kia to flip over and caused a number of other vehicles to be caught up in the havoc.

Local rescue workers pried the Kia's owner from his vehicle and rushed him to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries. Three others were injured and cared for as a result of the pileup.

Authorities recognized that the intersection is slightly confusing, as it includes several lanes of car traffic and a bike lane, but also asserted that all signage clarifies any potential ambiguity that could arise as a result.

This intersection is also one that local drivers are usually familiar with, according to the Gainesville Police. Even at the intersections where motorists feel most comfortable, their safety can be endangered by fellow drivers who fail to follow widely known traffic regulations. As drivers, we and our loved ones are put at risk every time we hit the road. We can only hope those we share the roads drive with the same kind of caution most drivers exercise on a daily basis.

Source: The Gainesville Sun, "4 people injured in Gainesville crash," Chad Smith, Jan. 8, 2012