Southern California has become known for its congested and dangerous roadways. In 2016, more than 3,623 fatal auto accidents happened on highways in SoCal, with Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties topping the list in terms of fatalities.
Whether you are a SoCal local, or are planning a visit, take note of the top 5 most dangerous highways in SoCal, and pay special attention when traveling on these roadways.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Highways in Southern California
Based on data, here are the most dangerous highways in Southern California:
5. State Route 126 – State Route 126 has been featured as one of the most scenic drives in California. It is also home to “blood alley” a six mile stretch of road that has been linked to around 34 deaths between 1990 and 1994. In 2016, there were eight deaths on 126 in seven months.
4. Interstate 10 – Interstate 10 has been listed as the 4th most dangerous highway in the U.S., and easily tops the list of top 5 in SoCal. The average number of fatalities per 100 miles of roadway is 54.5 on I-10. Between 2004 and 2008, I-10 saw 387 fatalities.
3. Interstate 15 – Interstate 15 has been listed in several locations as one of America’s most dangerous roadways. Running almost 300 miles from Nevada to San Diego, I-15 was the site of more than 400 crashes resulting in 506 fatalities between 2004 and 2008.
2. Interstate 5 – Interstate 5 was listed as the 7th most dangerous highway in the U.S. in 2016, with an average of 43.9 deaths per 100 miles of roadway. At just under 800 miles, that equals around 800 fatalities over four years.
1. Highway 99 – Highway 99 is considered by some researchers to be the most dangerous highway in SoCal. Between 2011 and 2015, there were 62.3 fatal auto accidents for every 100 miles of roadway.
Buckle up, and choose your route wisely.