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- Interstate 95 (I-95) is the deadliest U.S. highway, with 379 fatalities in 2020, making it the top-ranked road in terms of overall fatalities, heavily influenced by high traffic and a large number of accidents.
- High fatality rates per mile on roads like Interstate 5 (I-5) demonstrate that highways with moderate overall fatalities can still present significant danger due to their dense risk per unit of distance.
- Interstate 70 (I-70), despite fewer fatalities overall, remains hazardous due to its mix of rural stretches and heavy traffic, creating an unpredictable driving environment.
A recent study by iSharing evaluated U.S. roads by examining fatalities over the years 2019 and 2020, fatality rates per 100 miles, and maximum daily traffic volume. The highways were ranked based on a combination of these metrics, factoring in both overall fatalities and risk density. Traffic data and national highway safety reports were used to compile the findings, allowing for normalized comparisons between different roads.
| Road | States | Fatalities 2019 | Fatalities 2020 | Fatalities per 100 miles | Maximum daily traffic | Risk score |
| Interstate 95 (I-95) | 16 | 284 | 379 | 14.81 | 300,000 | 97.69 |
| Interstate 75 (I-75) | 6 | 237 | 246 | 13.27 | 133,000 | 90.86 |
| Interstate 5 (I-5) | 3 | 186 | 193 | 13.47 | 274,000 | 88.45 |
| Interstate 35 (I-35) | 6 | 197 | 157 | 12.56 | 220,000 | 86.34 |
| Interstate 20 (I-20) | 6 | 208 | 203 | 13.52 | 112,000 | 84.75 |
| Interstate 40 (I-40) | 8 | 253 | 270 | 9.90 | 210,000 | 82.64 |
| Interstate 15 (I-15) | 6 | 158 | 133 | 11.02 | 300,000 | 82.27 |
| Interstate 80 (I-80) | 11 | 209 | 220 | 7.21 | 204,000 | 77.41 |
| Interstate 70 (I-70) | 10 | 158 | 134 | 7.28 | 250,000 | 74.66 |
| U.S. Highway 41 (US-41) | 10 | 141 | 135 | 7.02 | 43,000 | 70.02 |
You can check the full study findings by following this link.
Interstate 95 (I-95), with a risk score of 97.69, is the most dangerous U.S. highway. In 2020, 379 fatalities were recorded on this highway, which serves as the primary east coast corridor for nearly 300,000 vehicles daily. The combination of dense traffic, high speeds, and frequent crashes make it the deadliest stretch of road in the country.
Interstate 75 (I-75) ranks second, with a risk score of 90.86. Despite a relatively lower daily traffic volume of 133,000 vehicles, this highway saw 246 fatalities in 2020, which translates to a fatality rate of 13.27. Its high-risk profile is fueled by urban congestion and densely populated areas along its route.
Interstate 5 (I-5), with a risk score of 88.45, takes the third spot in the deadliest highways list. This major west coast highway saw 193 fatalities in 2020, and its fatality rate of 13.47 reflects the significant safety concerns despite its lower overall fatality numbers compared to other major interstates.
Interstate 35 (I-35) takes the fourth spot, with a risk score of 86.34. The highway, which stretches through central U.S. states, carries 220,000 vehicles daily, and its fatality rate of 12.56 per 100 miles signals a consistently high level of risk across its entire stretch.
Interstate 20 (I-20) ranks fifth, with a risk score of 84.75. This road recorded 203 fatalities in 2020, and despite its lower daily traffic volume of 112,000, the highway’s fatality rate of 13.52 per 100 miles makes it one of the most dangerous highways in the country.
Interstate 40 (I-40), with a risk score of 82.64, is sixth. The highway saw 270 fatalities in 2020, with a fatality rate of 9.90 per 100 miles. It serves as a major cross-country route for 210,000 vehicles daily, contributing to its elevated risk.
Following in seventh, Interstate 15 (I-15), which carries 300,000 vehicles daily, has a risk score of 82.27. Despite 133 fatalities in 2020, its fatality rate of 11.02 per 100 miles places it among the top highways to avoid, especially in high-traffic urban areas such as Las Vegas.
Interstate 80 (I-80) comes in eighth, with a risk score of 77.41, and had 220 fatalities in 2020. This highway carries 204,000 vehicles daily and reports a fatality rate of 7.21 per 100 miles, making it one of the safer highways compared to others in the list but still a significant cause for concern.
Interstate 70 (I-70) is ninth, with a risk score of 74.66, having recorded 134 fatalities in 2020. While it has a lower fatality rate of 7.28 per 100 miles, its 250,000 daily vehicles still contribute to its place on this list, highlighting the risks involved despite relatively lower fatalities.
U.S. Highway 41 (US-41), with a risk score of 70.02, comes last on this list with 135 fatalities in 2020. Handling 43,000 vehicles daily, its fatality rate of 7.02 per 100 miles shows that even highways with relatively light traffic still pose significant risks in terms of fatal accidents.
A spokesperson from iSharing commented on the study: “Highways with heavy traffic and urban intersections naturally pose significant dangers, but it’s the lesser-expected risks—such as unpredictable terrain, sudden weather changes, or varying road conditions—that can be just as hazardous. The key takeaway is that road safety goes beyond managing traffic volume; it’s about understanding and anticipating diverse hazards. To truly enhance safety, a comprehensive approach is needed, addressing everything from road design and weather preparedness to driver behavior and the latest vehicle safety technologies.”
ENDS
story credit https://isharingsoft.com/
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at keechertheteacher@gmail.com
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