The 5 Most Dangerous Roads in the USA
Main Photo by Aleksejs Bergmanis from Pexels
The dangers of driving are no secret. When drivers are texting, making phone calls, inebriated or otherwise distracted, accidents are inevitable. Even when you and the drivers around you are focused on the road, sometimes the poor structure of the road itself can be a cause of disasters.
To keep yourself and your passengers safe, it’s important to be familiar with the most dangerous roads in the U.S. While you might not be able to avoid using them, when you understand the risks with certain roads, you can be more cautious and alert for potential dangers.
Below is a list of the top 5 most dangerous roads in the U.S.
1. Highway I-95
There have been countless accidents and fatalities on highway I-95. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I-95 had the highest number of fatalities out of any other road in 2019. That year, the road was home to 284 fatalities resulting in an average of 14.88 fatalities per mile. This makes sense since a huge portion of the highway is overloaded with traffic.
There have also been instances where I-95 has seen severe pileups of crashing cars. For example, in 2001, more than 100 vehicles collided with one another on the highway during a snowy day. This accident resulted in 31 serious injuries and one fatality. This is just one of the many instances over the years where driving on this highway has led to disaster.
2. Highway I-20
The I-20 highway stretches from South Carolina to Texas. While it isn’t as vast as some other highways on this list, it still has its fair share of accidents and fatalities. In 2019, I-20 had over 208 fatalities with a rate of 13.52 fatalities per every 100 miles.
3. Highway I-5
Highway I-5 runs for almost 800 miles across California. The highway saw 186 fatalities in 2019 with a rate of 13.47 fatalities per every 100 miles. The highway runs across major cities such as Seattle, Washington; Sacramento, California; and San Diego, California. Among the various counties along I-5, San Diego County sees the highest number of accidents.
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4. Highway I-75
During the winter, I-75 can be a scary route. Many parts of the road are covered in ice and heavy snow during the holiday season. Additionally, this highway sees heavy traffic as it runs across major cities such as Detroit, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; and Fort Myers, Florida.
5. Highway I-35
I-35 stretches for more than 1,500 miles from Texas to Minnesota. The highway serves as a major traffic hub for populated cities in Texas such as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. Additionally, because the road is used to access popular attractions such as Splashtown Water Park and the AT&T Center, traffic only becomes more congested. In 2019, these factors contributed to the road’s 197 fatalities.
Conclusion
While you should always practice safe driving, there are some roads that warrant extra caution. When your road trip involves one of the dangerous roads above, be extra mindful of the potential for accidents.
Everyone is susceptible to distractions while driving, which is where the TASL app comes in. Download the app today to earn rewards for staying off your phone while on the road – you might just end up saving your own life and the lives of others.
To learn more about the most dangerous roads in the U.S. as well as some tips for safe driving, check out The Zebra’s infographic below.
