California’s highways dominate the list of America’s deadliest roads, with Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County leading the pack. Between 2020 and 2022, I-15 recorded 80 fatal crashes, making it the most dangerous highway in the nation. This route connects Los Angeles to Las Vegas, experiencing heavy tourist and freight traffic through challenging desert conditions.
California appears three times in the top 10 deadliest highways. Alongside I-15, Interstate 10 in Riverside County ranks third with 54 deaths, and Interstate 5 in San Diego places eighth with 42 fatalities. These rankings reflect California’s large population and significant traffic volumes.
Despite advancements in vehicle safety, nearly 43,000 Americans died in traffic collisions in 2022. Distracted driving, fatigue, and speeding between 6 p.m. and midnight remain the leading causes of fatal crashes, according to StudyFinds.
Infrastructure issues also contribute to the high fatality rates. Many of the deadliest highway stretches have not been updated in decades, with poor lighting, limited shoulders, and outdated signage exacerbating the dangers. Angel Reyes, a spokesperson for Angel Reyes & Associates, emphasized that while highways are designed for speed and efficiency, human behavior often undermines these designs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that speeding accounted for roughly one-third of all traffic deaths in 2022. The combination of high speeds, long commutes, and distracted driving continues to make certain routes particularly hazardous.
The study analyzed fatal crash data from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, identifying the specific stretches within states that experienced the most fatal collisions over the last three years.
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