Erie County sits at one of the busiest transportation crossroads in the northeastern United States — a major commercial freight corridor, a border crossing point, and a region that takes a serious beating from Lake Erie weather every winter. According to a recent Allstate report, Buffalo’s accident rate hovers more than 33% above the national average. For drivers and fleet operators, that means breakdowns and roadside incidents are not a matter of if — they’re a matter of when, and where. Some roads in Erie County are significantly more hazardous than others, whether due to high traffic volume, poor visibility, harsh weather conditions, or a combination of all three. Here’s a breakdown of the roads and highways in the area that see the most incidents — and what to do if something goes wrong on any of them.
I-90 — The New York State Thruway
I-90 is the backbone of freight movement across Western New York, running east-west through Erie County and carrying a constant mix of commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, and interstate traffic. I-90 near Buffalo is one of the most dangerous highway segments in the country during winter, with lake-effect conditions and dense metro interchanges where freight and passenger traffic converge — conditions that can strip pavement friction in minutes. For commercial truck drivers, a breakdown on I-90 is especially serious — high-speed traffic, limited shoulder space in some sections, and heavy freight volume all make getting off the road quickly critical. If your semi, bus, or commercial vehicle goes down on I-90, getting the right heavy duty towing response dispatched as fast as possible is the priority — not attempting anything on the shoulder.
I-190 — The Niagara Thruway
I-190 runs north-south from I-90 in Buffalo up to the Canadian border at Lewiston, near Niagara Falls, passing through the Peace Bridge border crossing area and Grand Island along the way. This corridor sees a unique traffic mix — cross-border commercial freight, tourist traffic heading to Niagara Falls, and local commuter volume. The stretch running over the Grand Island bridges is particularly exposed to wind and winter weather, making it one of the more challenging sections of road in the county for vehicles in any condition. A breakdown on the bridge or in the Peace Bridge approach area needs fast response — limited shoulder space and heavy traffic make it a dangerous place to sit for long.
Route 33 — The Kensington Expressway
Route 33’s westernmost section through Buffalo and Cheektowaga has been upgraded into the Kensington Expressway, serving as a main route to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. That airport connection means Route 33 sees consistent high-speed traffic at all hours, including a significant volume of commercial vehicles and rental trucks. The expressway sections offer limited opportunities to exit safely during a breakdown, and merging traffic from ramps creates additional hazards. If you break down on Route 33, getting as far onto the shoulder as possible before stopping is critical — staying in a travel lane on this road, even briefly, is a serious risk.
Niagara Falls Boulevard
Niagara Falls Boulevard is surrounded by commercial establishments and a large shopping mall, and sees heavy commuter traffic on any given day. Police report factors including poorly marked pedestrian crosswalks, inadequate lighting, and speeding — with one-fifth of motorists regularly exceeding the road’s posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. For drivers experiencing a breakdown on Niagara Falls Boulevard, the combination of high traffic density and frequent pedestrian activity makes it one of the trickier roadside situations in the county. A flat tire or dead battery here can quickly become a hazard for everyone around you.
Delaware Avenue
The Delaware Avenue and Chippewa intersection sees significant traffic volume, turning vehicles, and pedestrian crossings, with the convergence of multiple roads and high foot traffic increasing the likelihood of collisions — especially at night and on weekends. Further along Delaware Avenue into the northern suburbs, the road carries heavy commuter traffic, and winter conditions regularly make stopping distances unpredictable. Roadside assistance calls on Delaware Avenue — for jump starts, flat tires, and lockouts — are common throughout the year.
William Street and Bailey Avenue
William Street and Bailey Avenue are among the 10 roads with the highest accident rates in Buffalo. These are high-volume local corridors where commercial vehicles, delivery vans, and everyday traffic share lanes with pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicle breakdowns on these streets disrupt traffic flow significantly, and the density of surrounding activity means getting off the road quickly — even just pulling into a nearby lot — is important before calling for help.
What to Do If You Break Down on Any of These Roads
Regardless of which road you’re on, the steps are the same. Get your vehicle as far off the travel lane as possible, activate your hazard lights immediately, and if you have reflective triangles or flares, set them out to warn approaching traffic. Stay in a safe position — inside the vehicle if you’re in an active lane or high-speed area, or well away from traffic if you’ve stepped out. Then call for help right away, with your location, vehicle type, and a brief description of the problem ready.
The type of help you need depends on the situation — a flat tire, a dead battery, or an empty tank can all be handled roadside without a tow. A mechanical failure, accident damage, or a vehicle that won’t move at all typically needs towing. For commercial vehicles like semis and buses, heavy duty towing is the only safe option on roads like I-90 and I-190, where standard tow trucks aren’t built for the weight and size of the job.
We Respond Across Erie County — Day and Night
Moss Heavy Duty Towing covers all of the roads listed in this post — from I-90 and I-190 to Niagara Falls Boulevard, Route 33, and local Buffalo streets — providing heavy duty towing, light duty towing, and roadside assistance including flat tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, and lockout service. Wherever you break down in Erie County, our team is ready to respond day and night. Call (716) 923-7804 for fast, professional help.