I-5 Ranked Among 10 Most Dangerous Roads in U.S.

Our country is vast and diverse, making it easy to think that tangible problems are far from us. However, among the ten most dangerous routes in the United States as of 2024, one should particularly alarm us: Seattle’s I-5. This highway, running parallel to the Pacific Coast, witnessed 186 fatalities (13.47 per 100 miles).

This route is ranked as the third most dangerous at the national level due to its number of fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants.

Incidents highlighting the dangers of Interstate 5 include a recent case in June 2024, where a driver was killed and three others were injured following a stabbing and shooting on I-5 in Federal Way.

Despite assumptions that these problems are distant, fatal crashes in Washington have surged since before COVID-19, from 517 in 2019 to 596 in 2021, according to WSDOT reports. Not only does I-5 remain hazardous along its route, but it is the top accident site in Seattle, followed by SR 16 and N 145th Street. This alarming statistic ranks I-5 13th in deaths per 100,000 residents, partly due to its popularity among 18-wheelers.

Using NHTSA data on fatal accidents in 2019, a recent breakdown of America’s most dangerous roads

determined the most lethal stretch was I-95 along the East Coast, with the highest fatalities per 100 miles.

Six out of the ten most dangerous highways ran north-south, with US-41 rounding out the list as the only non-interstate highway in the top 10.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Highways

  1. I-95: 284 fatalities (14.88 per 100 miles)
  2. I-20: 208 fatalities (13.52 per 100 miles)
  3. I-5: 186 fatalities (13.47 per 100 miles)
  4. I-75: 237 fatalities (13.27 per 100 miles)
  5. I-35: 197 fatalities (12.56 per 100 miles)
  6. I-15: 158 fatalities (11.02 per 100 miles)
  7. I-40: 253 fatalities (9.89 per 100 miles)
  8. I-70: 158 fatalities (7.35 per 100 miles)
  9. I-80: 209 fatalities (7.21 per 100 miles)
  10. US-41: 141 fatalities (7.02 per 100 miles)

Driving Safety Tips

Stay Alert: Extra caution is essential on hazardous highways.
Plan Ahead: Consider traffic and weather conditions for long journeys.
Rest: Avoid drowsy driving by taking breaks or sharing driving duties.
Follow Traffic Laws: Adhering to traffic laws reduces the risk of accidents.

All traffic statistics provided by the WSDOT the and Washington Traffic Safety Commission