Statistics show 25 states have at least one deadly highway, with Florida leading as it has up to 17 dangerous roads and highways. Its Interstate 4 road connecting Daytona Beach and Tampa is one of the deadliest highways reporting 1-4 deaths per mile.
Other states that have appeared frequently on the list of roads with the most fatalities during the same period are California and Texas. Close to 544 fatal crashes have occurred on California’s Interstate 5 Highway, causing 584 deaths. Here’s a more detailed overview of the deadliest highway by state:
Florida
Most of the car accidents in Florida result from drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Highways reporting the highest number of car accidents in Florida are:
Highway 1: The highway runs along the east coast, stretching from Key West to Maine. Nearly 1,000 deaths have been reported, accounting for a third of traffic fatalities in the state.
Interstate 4: Nicknamed the Haunted Highway, Interstate 4 is the busiest interstate highway in the country and the most dangerous based on fatalities reported per mile. The stretch running from Lakeland to Orland is the deadliest.
Interstate 10: The highway is the fourth longest in the U.S., stretching to 2,460 miles. It also reports high accidents due to inadequate highway safety measures. It lacks barriers between lanes causing crossover crashes when motorists change lanes unexpectedly.
Interstate 75: The highway is notorious for highway safety problems and congestion. Nearly 47.2 crashes per 100 miles are reported.
California
Although California has a relatively good record in road safety (it has the lowest rate of distracted driving), it has a few deadly highways. They include:
Interstate 5: A large part of the highway passes through mountain passes and rural areas, which are the safest. However, heavily populated regions running through Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and Orange County are hazardous.
Interstate 15: The highway runs from San Diego to Nevada, and the stretch from Baker to Victorville is the safest. It’s wide, flat, and has good visibility allowing motorists to drive above 70 miles per hour. However, the stretch near the mountains, i.e., the Cajon Pass, a 4.5-miles freeway from SR-138 to Hesperia, is the deadliest. The steep terrain, heavy traffic, and fog make the perfect combination for fatal crashes.
Texas
The state has the highest number of highways (45 U.S. and 16 interest highways), accounting for 313,000 miles of public roads. Some highways have proved to be dangerous, reporting the deadliest car accidents in the country. They include:
Interstate 35: The highway stretches 400 miles and is one of the busiest highways in Texas. Fatal accidents occurred here, the most memorable being in 2018 when 20,401 traffic crashes were reported. Close to 153 people died, and 471 of them sustained severe injuries.
Highway 83: It’s also called the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway and stretches 900 miles. An average of 26 deaths happen every year on this highway.
Other Deadly Highways
Route 11: Located in the southern part of Hawaii, it reports 7.2 car accident-related fatalities every year.
U.S. 45: The highway is the longest in Illinois, running from Wisconsin to Kentucky. Close to 11 people die on the road every year.
U.S. 90: This Louisiana highway reports an average of 29.5 deaths yearly.
Interstate 40: The highway runs through Tennessee, connecting Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville and reports 52 deaths yearly.