Which roads in California are accident-prone? What makes them dangerous?
Many California roads see accidents happen frequently. Driver inattention and error can be huge contributing factors to car crashes. There may be many car accidents in Los Angeles, but some roads have characteristics that make them more dangerous or accident-prone than others.
Read on to learn more about which roads in California are the most accident-prone:
Most Dangerous and Accident-Prone Roads In California
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I-15
The I-15 is a highway that stretches 181 miles passing San Bernardino County to Las Vegas. This highway doesn’t have anything unique aside from being a straight highway. However, it’s a usually traveled highway with dense traffic. However, this straight road invites motorists to drive at high speeds. One small mistake can cause fatal highway accidents. This road has seen multiple safety improvements to lessen impacts. However, it has already claimed over a thousand fatalities within fifteen years. It’s one of the most accident-prone roads in California.
Interstate 15 California photo from https://www.facebook.com/aaroads
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SR-78
The SR-78 is a road stretching a whopping 215 miles near the ocean. It also goes through densely populated areas of north San Diego, passing Witch Creek and Julian. This road also has mountain regions, leading to harsh, distressing, and accident-prone road conditions. This infamous road also saw over sixty casualties within seven years, making it an accident-prone road. If you are passing through this road on your trip, ensure that your car’s safety features are all in good shape.
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SR-2
The SR-2 is also known as Angeles Crest Scenic Byway in Eastern San Bernardino County. This road is known for its scenic views. However, its blind curves make it one of the most dangerous roads in California. In addition, it also has sharp inclines that make ascending and descending unsafe. In fact, this road has seen around fifty fatalities in seven years. You might want to drive by SR-2 for the views, but ensure you pay full attention to the road. Even a moment of carelessness can result in a deadly crash.
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SR-62
The SR-62 is a 151-mile road that begins near Palm Springs and goes to the Arizona border. One of its most unique elements is a signboard east of Twentynine Palms that warns of a 100-mile stretch without services. Authorities note that this road lacks road center divisions. This accident-prone road’s orientation can also hit drivers’ eyes during sunrise and sunset. All these combined can make road conditions too unsafe for any novice driver.
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Needle Freeway (1-40)
The I-40 has an area that’s within California. This portion of the freeway, also known as Needle Freeway, goes from Barstow to Needles. It also goes through the Mojave Desert. It’s infamous as a dangerously slick road whenever it rains. However, it sees a consistent flow of traffic which leads to consistent fatalities due to traffic accidents. It’s generally accident-prone because of the weather, so take note of upcoming rain showers before heading this way.
Accident-Prone Road Fatalities: What Is The Most Common Cause Of Car Crash Deaths?
Many factors can cause fatal car accidents. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) data, the major risk factors include:
- Drunk driving (over 10,000 deaths)
- Speeding (over 9,500 deaths)
- Not using seatbelts, car seats, and booster seats (over 9,500 deaths)
Preventing these risk factors can save lives across the country. In addition to road safety policies and improved vehicle safety features, you can also learn more about risky driving habits as shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) here.
What Should You Do If You Get Into A Car Accident?
According to the California Department of Insurance, you must do the following steps immediately after a car accident:
- Stop your car immediately
- Move your vehicle to a safe location, if possible
- Call an ambulance if anyone is injured
- Call the police to complete a crash report
- Exchange information with the other drivers
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Take pictures to supplement your evidence file
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However, you have more work to do later after the crash on these accident-prone roads. You can learn more here.
You might also need to call a car accident lawyer if someone else’s negligence caused the crash. A lawyer can help you with your case to ensure your right to compensation.
In addition, a car accident attorney can help you:
- Prove negligence
- Define the Cost of Damages
- Build a strong claim
- Negotiate a Settlement
- Proceed with important deadlines in mind
Give us a call today at 888-960-0480 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form