By John Byrnes
Automobile accidents can occur anywhere. It only takes one negligent driver to cause an accident. However, some areas seem more prone to accidents than others. Not all roads are created equal. Some roads are simply more dangerous for a variety of reasons. While you might think that all accidents are caused by unsafe drivers or your own mistakes, unsafe roadways are another contributing factor to accidents resulting in injury or death.
There are several factors that contribute to a road being dangerous:
Hairpin turns: We’ve all nearly skidded through a tight turn that we completely underestimated. A little more speed is all it takes to suffer an accident.
Lack of guardrails: A lack of guardrails can result in far greater injuries, depending what is on the other side. Altitude is a common problem.
Seasonal weather conditions: A road through the northern Rocky Mountains is more likely to see poor weather than one through southern California.
Traffic: On the other hand, southern California is more likely to see a lot of traffic. Heavy traffic conditions can contribute to accidents.
Width of the road: Many older roads, especially those in rural areas, can be quite a bit narrower than modern roads.
Quality of the road surface: Some roads are simply in better condition and better maintained than others.
Many factors contribute to the safety of any road. While these are not all the factors contributing to roadway safety, they are among the most important.
Here are a few of the most dangerous roads in America:
- Route 138 – California: This is a common route through the high desert between southern California and Las Vegas. The locals commonly refer to it as the “highway of death.” Approximately 10 people are killed and 175 are injured every year. This is over a span of road of approximately 35 miles. The biggest problem is the lack of road width over most of the trip.
- US 24 from Ft Wayne, Indiana to Toledo, Ohio: The route has recently been widened from 2 lanes to 4. The most common fatal crashes involved commercial trucks traveling between the many factories located in both cities.
- US 431 in Alabama: This route was also recently expanded from two lanes to four. Many accidents still occur on this road due to traffic density.
- I-95 in Florida. The 380-mile stretch in southern Florida is the most dangerous in the United States. Congestion and distracted drivers are considered to be the biggest cause of accidents.
- Roosevelt Blvd in Philadelphia: The only non-highway on the list. This 12-lane road has sharp turns, and drivers routinely exceed the speed limit. The road also contains two of the most dangerous intersections in the country. If you’re concerned about the safety of a particular road in your area, contact your local lawmaker and inform them. If enough people complain about unsafe conditions, corrective action is much more likely to occur. Two of the major causes of automobile accidents are unsafe roadways and unsafe drivers. If possible, avoid unsafe routes during your travels and seek out a safer alternative. Sometimes the extra time is worth the peace of mind.
If you or a loved one has been injured on an unsafe roadway, contact me here or a personal injury attorney in your area and explore your options.