7 of the Most Dangerous Roads and Highways in California
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers | January 28, 2025 | Car Accidents
While any road can be dangerous under certain conditions, some routes in the Golden State tend to have a worse track record than others, even for careful drivers. Recent data suggests that California’s traffic fatalities increased by 7.6% during a one-year period, with a mortality rate of 1.38 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
Take a closer look at the seven roads and highways that may have contributed to these numbers more than others.
1. Interstate 5 Through California
I-5’s status as California’s deadliest highway is clearly evident in the numbers. In 2022 alone, there were 128 deaths on this highway. The San Diego County segment claimed 21 lives that year, while the Orange County section claimed many speeders — half of all fatal crashes along that stretch involved excessive speed.
The challenge arises from how the highway runs. Through San Diego, heavy commuter traffic mixes with tourist confusion and constant lane changes near major exits. The section between La Jolla and Downtown sees frequent multi-vehicle collisions. Each urban segment adds its own risks, with Los Angeles sections consistently seeing over ten fatal accidents annually.
2. Interstate 15
I-15’s dangers stem from a deadly mix of design and behavior. Its long, straight stretches naturally tempt drivers to speed. This was shown in 2022’s statistics, where 22 of 48 deaths in San Bernardino County involved speeding. The Cajon Pass section adds extra risk, where heavy truck traffic often meets challenging weather conditions.
However, perhaps the highway’s most lethal segment sits between exits 138 and 129 near Hesperia. This 4.5-mile stretch claimed 19 lives that year. At night, the road can become even more treacherous. The combination of darkness, long-haul truckers, and late-night commuters can create conditions where simple mistakes turn fatal.
3. State Route 99
SR-99 remains California’s most dangerous highway per mile. Between 2018 and 2022, the highway saw 445 deaths, averaging 89 fatalities each year. When measured by distance, this means 62.3 fatal accidents occurred per 100 miles of road.
The danger tends to increase through the Central Valley, where high-speed traffic meets frequent entry and exit points near major cities.
4. State Route 138
SR-138’s combination of sharp turns, steep grades, and narrow lanes creates naturally hazardous conditions. The highway, which connects I-15 and I-5 to Palmdale and Lancaster, sees around ten fatal accidents yearly.
Its dangerous features can compound each other, as a steep grade can become more dangerous when combined with a sharp turn and narrow lanes.
5. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
The PCH is a beautiful stretch of road, but it does come with certain risks. Its stunning coastal views create constant driver distraction. Add in the practical challenges like narrow roads hugging cliffs, limited passing lanes leading to risky overtaking, and tourist and commuter traffic mixing, and you have a road that can be as dangerous as it is scenic.
6. Interstate 10
I-10’s fatality numbers reveal a worsening problem. Riverside County alone recorded 31 deaths in 2022 — up from 25 in 2018. The highway’s challenges tend to increase as it runs from Santa Monica through Los Angeles to the Arizona border. Poor road conditions combine with congestion and distracted driving to create consistent risk zones throughout its length.
7. El Cajon Boulevard
El Cajon Boulevard represents a different kind of danger than these highways. This urban arterial creates risk through complexity. Multiple traffic lanes intersect with busy crosswalks and frequent bus stops, resulting in a constant stream of conflict points between cars, pedestrians, and cyclists that can present more obstacles than highway driving.
Staying Safe on California’s Most Dangerous Roads
Many people think roads are only dangerous when they are in poor condition or badly designed. However, any road can become risky when high speeds and distracted driving enter the mix. Wherever you travel in California, always follow driving best practices to help ensure a safe journey.
Contact the Car Accidents Law Firm of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
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We also serve the state of Texas. For legal assistance, contact our personal injury law office in El Paso today.
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