Los Angeles is synonymous with traffic. So it should not come as any surprise to residents or tourists alike that the city ranks fifth among U.S. cities with the worst traffic delays, with Los Angeles drivers losing an average of 95 hours sitting in traffic in 2022 alone.
However, traffic delays are not the only negative aspect of driving in L.A. In a recent study, California as a whole ranked as having the second-worst drivers in the United States in terms of accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets.
This means that driving in Los Angeles can be costly not only in terms of your insurance rates, but also when it comes to your risk of injury or death in an accident — especially on freeways. If you will be driving in the city, it is essential to learn which freeways are the most dangerous and how to navigate them safely.
The Most Dangerous Los Angeles Highways
The Transportation Injury Mapping System at the University of California, Berkeley, identifies the following five highways as some of the deadliest in the entire Los Angeles County area:
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is a highway that crosses through several states and California counties, including Los Angeles County. In 2019, statistics showed that 186 individuals lost their lives in auto accidents on this interstate, giving the highway a fatality rate of 13.47 deaths for every 100 miles of highway.
The Zebra ranked I-5 as the third deadliest highway in the United States.
Interstate 15
Another multi-state highway, Interstate 15 connects California to states like Minnesota, Nevada, and Utah and runs approximately 1,500 miles in length.
The Zebra found that in 2019, there were 158 motorist deaths that took place along I-15, giving the highway a fatality rate of 11.02 per 100 miles and landing the highway at number six of the most dangerous freeways in the United States.
Interstate 110 Northbound and Southbound
Community data analysis site Crosstown identifies I-110 North between the 105 and 101 as one of the most dangerous highways in Los Angeles. This stretch of highway has an accident rate of 162.8 crashes per mile. The southbound segment does not fare much better, having an accident rate of 122.2 per mile.
The 405
Interstate 405, affectionately known as the 405 by some, is a main artery carrying a significant amount of Los Angeles traffic at all hours of the day and night.
The northbound segment that runs between I-110 and I-10 is the second-most dangerous portion of freeway in Los Angeles and has an accident rate of 154.5 accidents per mile. The southbound segment is close behind, with an accident rate of 127 crashes per mile, according to Crosstown.
Interstate 10
The segment of Interstate 10 that runs in both directions between Santa Monica and I-5 comes in as the fourth most dangerous portion of freeway in the Los Angeles area, according to Crosstown’s data.
Both the east and west portions have accident rates that exceed 135 crashes per mile. The eastbound segment is slightly worse, with a rate of 138.6. The westbound segment’s rate is 131.
Staying Safe on Los Angeles’ Roads and Highways
To have the best possibility of avoiding a car accident in Los Angeles, CA, it is crucial that you drive defensively and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
Do not use your cell phone while driving, and plan your trip ahead of time so you do not need to look at a map or GPS device while driving. Finally, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and try to allow for sufficient space between your vehicle and others while driving.
By remaining vigilant and practicing safe driving, you can reduce your risk of an accident on these dangerous roads.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA
If you were injured in an accident in Los Angeles, CA or you lost a loved one and you need legal assistance, please contact us to schedule a free consultation. One of our Los Angeles car accident lawyers at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers will get in touch with you soon.
M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers – Los Angeles Office
4929 Wilshire Blvd Suite 960,
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(877) 300-4535
M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Office
350 S Figueroa St Suite 276
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(877) 751-8953