The state of California has five-lane highways, an endless map of interstates, side streets, public roads, and many other places where an accident can occur. No matter how careful you ride, getting from point A to B can pose a risk to your safety. What you can do is know where to pay closer attention to the surrounding traffic. What follows is a list of eight of the Golden State’s most dangerous roads.
1. U.S. Route 199
Known as Redwood Highway, R-199 is an 80-mile stretch where statistics estimate that a car accident leads to a fatality every two miles. It’s a mesh of twisting lanes, narrow roads, and far too many views that easily distract drivers.
2. State Route 138
R-138 winds down I-15 and goes through Palmdale. The region is noted for slippery S-turns, steep landscapes, and unexpected drop-offs.
3. 1-10 Freeway
Running through the Golden State all the way out to Florida, 1-10 is the road where approximately 1,342 fatal car accidents took place between 2011 and 2015. Dark conditions and drunk driving played a huge role in those accidents.
4. Highway 1
Winding and narrow, Highway 1 is surrounded by overlooks and cliffs where a slight swerve could result in death. The sun distracts drivers, and rain causes rock- and mudslides.
5. State Route 99
Value Penguin, a resource for car insurance, calls Route 99 the country’s most dangerous highway. It runs through the central valley and takes credit for approximately 62 deadly car accidents per 100 miles.
6. I-15 California
Nestled between L.A. and Las Vegas, I-95 is a menacing stretch of road. The Department of Transportation reports that between 1994 and 2008, 834 fatal car accidents took place here, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.
7. U.S. Route 101
Route 101 has distracting views that prompt deadly accidents. The route traverses the City of Angels and goes out to the Valley. Over a seven-year period, there was a fatality approximately every 1.3 miles.
Car accidents often lead to severe injuries and devastate families. Knowing when you’re on a dangerous road may help you be more diligent and prevent accidents.
