4 of the top 5 deadliest highways are on the west coast.
In A Nutshell
- California claims the top spot: Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County recorded 80 fatal crashes over three years, making it America’s deadliest highway. The route connects Los Angeles to Las Vegas and sees heavy tourist and freight traffic through dangerous desert conditions.
- Golden State appears three times in top 10: Beyond I-15 at number one, California’s I-10 in Riverside County ranks third with 54 deaths, and I-5 in San Diego places eighth with 42 fatalities, reflecting the state’s high population and heavy traffic volumes.
- Human behavior trumps vehicle safety: Despite modern cars being equipped with advanced safety features, nearly 43,000 Americans died in traffic collisions in 2022. Distracted driving, fatigue, and speeding between 6 p.m. and midnight remain the leading causes of fatal crashes.
- Infrastructure hasn’t kept pace: Many of America’s deadliest highway stretches haven’t been updated in decades, with poor lighting, limited shoulders, and outdated signage contributing to fatal outcomes on roads designed for speed and efficiency.
California claims three of the 10 most dangerous highways in America, including the top spot, according to an analysis of federal crash data that reveals where fatal collisions are happening most frequently across the nation.
A study by Texas personal injury law firm Angel Reyes & Associates examined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System to identify which highways have seen the highest number of fatal crashes over the past three years. The Golden State’s outsized presence on the list reflects both its massive population and the unique dangers posed by its high-traffic corridors.
Leading the grim ranking is Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County, which recorded 80 fatal crashes over three years, more than any other highway in the nation. Stretching from San Diego to the Nevada border, I-15 serves as a critical connection between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, carrying a relentless stream of tourists, commuters, and freight trucks. Transportation analysts point to the highway’s long desert stretches, high speed limits, and heavy weekend travel as key factors in its deadly reputation. The combination of exhaustion, extreme heat, and aggressive overtaking creates conditions ripe for tragedy. The California Highway Patrol has long identified I-15 as one of the state’s most dangerous corridors, particularly near Victorville and Barstow…