The Most Dangerous Highways in Southern California

Everyone should always be practicing safe driving skills, whether it is on a winding highway, slippery asphalt, or calm street. Accidents can happen even when there are no hazardous road conditions. However, it is also important to be aware of the more difficult roads to better prepare for your trip.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,623 Californians died in motor vehicle accidents in 2016. More than 790 of those fatalities took place in Los Angeles County – a 22 percent increase in the past four years.

As Californians are aware, Southern California’s highways are congested and fraught with hazards, such as poor road conditions, sharp curves, distracted drivers, fatigued truckers and drunk drivers. Some freeways and interstates are more dangerous than others. 

Below are some of the most dangerous highways in Southern California:

Interstate 10

The I-10 in California has been ranked as the fifth most dangerous highway in the country. This highway runs from Santa Monica, through Los Angeles to the Arizona border. It frequently undergoes poor road conditions and a high population of truck drivers, traffic congestion and distracted drivers.

Interstate 5

More than 1 million drivers use part of this, nearly 800-mile-long, highway. Interstate 5, known as “The Five”, is used on a daily basis to commute between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This stretch of highway offers little scenery. As such, most motorists drive fast to reach their destinations as soon as possible. Aside from sharing the road with commuters, the high volume for truckers that live on The Five also increase the risk of accidents.

Interstate 15 

The I-15 is another heavily traveled highway in Southern California that links the San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside Counties. The stretch that connects Las Vegas to Los Angeles has been ranked as one of the deadliest highways in the United States. 

State Road 138

State Road 138, which runs through parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, has also been top ranked. Sections of this roadway are infamous for the steep mountainous terrain, sharp turns and sheer drop-offs. Route 138 is often called “Death Trap Highway” due to the large number of fatal accidents that have occurred on that road.

State Route 126

State Route 126 follows the Santa Clara River through Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. This highway is often referred to as “Bloody Alley,” because of its long history of horrific traffic collisions. Many of these crashes involved speeding motorists and slow-moving agricultural vehicles that are common in the area.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent party, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates have achieved over $135 million for their clients so far. For more information or to schedule a FREE consultation with one of the attorneys, call 949-727-9300.