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For most residents of Santa Barbara and the rest of California, highway driving is a fact of life. Many of us must use the highway to commute to work or school, run errands and visit friends and loved ones.
California has one of the longest and most extensive highway systems in the country — and, sadly, one of the deadliest. On average, more than 3,500 people are killed in car accidents in California, often on state and federal highways. Here are five of the most dangerous highways in the state.
California State Route 99
Known as the “highway to hell” for its high number of fatal crashes and poor driving conditions, this highway runs through the Central Valley. In 2019, it had the highest rate of deadly accidents per 100 miles of any roadway in the U.S.
U.S. Route 199
The portion of this federal highway that goes through Northern California has some beautiful views and is known as the Smith River Scenic Byway. Unfortunately, drivers often get distracted and fail to pay attention to the highway’s many twists and turns.
Interstate 5
There are 796 miles of I-5 in California, most of it quite dangerous because of speeders. The section in Los Angeles County is perhaps the worst due to high traffic congestion on that stretch.
State Route 138
Known as the “highway of death” or the “California death way,” SR 138 is one of the country’s most notorious roadways.
Interstate 15
The interstate that connects Los Angeles to Las Vegas goes through fairly empty country, and many drivers go well above the speed limit. The faster a vehicle is going, the more likely its driver will cause a fatal crash.
Whether you regularly drive on one of these highways or not, you and your family could be victimized by a negligent driver. Losing a loved one in a car accident is devastating. Legal action can help families pick up the pieces afterward.