Which Alabama Roads Are Considered Most Dangerous?
Do Certain Roads Have More Accidents?
Sometimes it seems like the news reports accidents in the same areas of town, even on the same streets and highways. There might even be roads that you avoid, especially during rush hour, because all too often they are jammed up due to an accident. Are certain roads plagued with more car accidents than others?
Some roads are, in fact, more likely to be the scene of a vehicular collision. It could be that the road is in poor condition, or has certain features that make it crash-prone, such as blind curves or lane transitions that are too fast.
To give the public a better idea of how safe our nation’s roadways are, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collected crash data for every state between 2009-2013. The information sheds interesting light on patterns in automotive crashes, including their location. Below are a few highways in our state that featured prominently in the NHTSA report.
Interstate 85 in Lee County & Montgomery County
During the study’s five-year span, the stretch of Interstate 85 in Lee County recorded a high number of fatal crashes, with 26 deaths in 22 crashes. In Montgomery County, the interstate witnessed 15 fatalities in 11 accidents over the five-year period.
Interstate 65 in Chilton County
Dangerous Roads in Jefferson County
The Infamous Highway 431
This major north-south state highway in the eastern portion of Alabama has earned a devilish nickname: “Highway to Hell.” It was named one of America’s most dangerous roads by various media outlets, including Popular Mechanics. In 2014, it was actually labeled one of the world’s most perilous roads by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their Global Status Report on Road Safety.
Why has this highway earned such a terrible reputation?
The facts speak for themselves. In 2013, Hwy 431 was the 4th deadliest road in the U.S. If you drive down it, the crosses and flowers bear witnesses to the number of lives taken on this tarmac.
Contributing to the road’s danger is reduced visibility of oncoming traffic, sudden changes in the number of lanes, and speeding. Fortunately, the state has been working to make the road safer by widening dangerous narrow stretches, replacing bridges and increasing State Trooper patrols to the area.
Keeping You Safe
As a driver, of course you have little to no control over the road conditions. If the asphalt needs to have pot holes filled, there’s nothing you can do about it while driving, besides being very careful. The same goes for a road that should be engineered for improved safety features, like having a longer on-ramp. As always, the best way to stay safe on roads that statistically have more accidents is the same way to be accident-free anywhere: be a defensive and cautious driver.
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. wishes you safe travels, and are here to help if you’re injured in an auto accident. We are a Birmingham personal injury law firm with a solid record of success in handling Alabama motor vehicle accident cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we’d like to help you on the road to recovery. You can contact us today at (205) 322-8880 for a free case evaluation. A consultation is always free and at no obligation to you.
