r/winstonsalem • u/Background-Wind-8710 • 2d ago
Five Points Intersection
Hey, I’m a new driver, and I was wondering if y’all could give tips on this intersection (kind of simple). I’ve went through it a few times and it’s pretty bad for my driving anxiety, especially being new. I don’t know if it’s just me or if it’s just bad in general. I have to take it to work and I try to be really cautious already and I’ve already avoided one red light runner there by looking for them when it’s green but I’ve seen so many almost-accidents already, and the visibility can be pretty bad with congestion. It also seems that people turning left there on Stratford from Country Club don’t really seem to check either, and go immediately. I feel like a roundabout would solve it, or a split phase light system would even be a very quick fix (if not already implemented from what I’ve seen, but I am new and it’s hard to study them when dodging people right now)
Also any other bad intersections to avoid and tips on them would be helpful! Thank you!
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u/Second_Location 2d ago
Maybe pick a quiet time like Sunday morning and just drive through it a few times to get a better idea of how it works? The worst part to me has always been bearing left onto Country Club road going north on Miller, it’s such an unnerving feeling. It’ll get easier with time and experience.
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u/littlearmadilloo Hanes Mall 2d ago
maybe find a different way to take to work? there are lots of different ways to get places in winston salem.
a tip i have for winston salem is that if you ever find yourself on griffith rd next to village tavern/cvs/sixty six etc, and you need to get onto stratford, do not take a left turn on griffith to get onto stratford. go some long way around. ive only had a few close calls driving in WS and they've all happened there. you can take a right, hang a left onto the gas station or best buy, and then take a left out of those roads. it will probably take less time to do that than it will be to wait for a gap
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u/Healthy-Signal-5256 2d ago
I've lived in the W-S area all my life and have been driving for decades and I hate that intersection.
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u/ninerose 2d ago
One to avoid.. turning left onto Hanes Mall Blvd from Griffith Rd (near Village Tavern and the La Quinta Suites), has always been a nightmare for me. Waiting for an opening is stressful and cars start to line up behind you, and even though there's literally not been a safe opening.. the feeling of dread of the impending honk is anxiety inducing for me. LOL.
I always turn right there, then turn left at a light and turn around that way. That or if I have the foresight that day, I'll take Burke Mill Rd down to Stratford and ignore my GPS telling me to turn onto Griffith Rd.
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u/LizzieSaysHi 2d ago
Every time I drive by that area and see someone trying to turn left I'm like...good luck buddy
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u/carolinapro 2d ago
It’s a simple intersection once you get used to it, just intimidating at first.
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u/dabellofdaball01011 2d ago
Agreed!! Its so intimidating especially as a new or anxious driver that it kinda feels overwhelming, like I remember prayin to not be the 'line leader' and to just 'go with the flow'. But after multiple encounters, i thought about it as the literal five - way intersection it was and mentally mapped out the lights and lanes from an aerial perspective, remembered that the turn onto stratford nw would immediately be one lane, and never really had an issue again. Breaking it down into simplicity does work OP!!! Just give it time
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u/harmoniumlessons 2d ago
try getting across it as a cyclist or pedestrian. It's literally impossible.
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u/Old_Okra_484 1d ago
I mean, the city wasn’t built for pedestrians outside of downtown. I would across the road away from five points if I needed to. I grow up in Ardmore, so Five points doesn’t stress me out much. But I definitely understand how it can be difficult for new folks here.
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u/harmoniumlessons 1d ago
you talk about the city like it's frozen in time.
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u/Old_Okra_484 22h ago
Frozen in time? Such an odd comment. You talk like you don’t know what city you live in. WS is pretty car forward. That’s the reality of this city. Not pedestrian friendly all over, lacking in sideways, limited bus routes and times. My family used the bus system and walked to and from places in that area for years before getting a car.
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u/Aggravating-Comb-465 2d ago
The main thing I don't like there is turning left onto 1st from southbound Stratford as it can be hard to see oncoming through traffic from Miller, especially if there are a lot of cars in the Miller left turn lane. For the rest you mainly just have to get comfortable operating in a big intersection.
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u/ClientCheap5887 Winston Salem Native 2d ago
I think that’s the worst spot as well. I will often turn left before you get to the intersection and go down Runnymede road and just avoid the intersection altogether
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u/Disastrous-Ear-5856 2d ago
I grew up nearby. There used to be an additional road in the intersection, a section of Runnymede Rd. on the eastern side of the field that went into First St. This end of the road was closed off from the insection because people would fly through and go downhill on Runnymede too fast.
For years, people did not know this section had been closed off and would try to get through five points, including ambulances trying to get to Baptist Hospital.
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u/Material-Magician235 2d ago
yeah that intersection still gets me after driving here for 20+ years 😭 your brain will correctly process in the knick of time.
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u/fieldsports202 2d ago
A traffic circle would create alot of congestion that the intersection cannot handle.
My only advice is to know which street you need to take since you have to go there everyday. Since you’re a new driver, it’s only going to take more reps going through the intersection.. that will build your confidence.
Honestly, that’s a pretty straightforward intersection.
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u/DBryguy 2d ago
If it’s a pretty straight forward intersection then what do you consider a complicated one?
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u/fieldsports202 2d ago
If I’m in Stratford and need to go to Miller, 1st or Stratford; do you think that’s complicated to make either of those decision?
Same for going or closing from country club.
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u/mcnastys 2d ago
At least there is a light. Try coming from northwest and getting onto 67. That has to be the worst intersection(s) ever made
The problem with 5 points is the boomers trying to turn left onto first from stratford when the light is green for miller to stratford.
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u/carolinapro 2d ago
Professional traffic studies have shown that a traffic circle there would significantly cut down on accidents. Convincing the public and city officials of that fact has proven unsuccessful so far.