Alabama has some of the deadliest roads and highways in the entire country. Whether it’s because motorists drink and drive, use cell phones while driving, or otherwise drive recklessly, it seems that Alabama residents are at great risk of being involved in a serious car accident. Nearly 1,000 people die every year in car wrecks on Alabama roads.
Some of the deadliest roads in Alabama include:
- Interstate 20, which stretches across 214 miles and runs through the center of the state.
- Interstate 65, which runs 366 miles in Alabama and connects several large cities, including Birmingham, Decatur, and Montgomery.
- Interstate 85, which runs 80 miles in Alabama and is a main source of travel for Montgomery County residents.
Us Route 431: The “highway To Hell” In Alabama
Perhaps the deadliest roadway in Alabama is U.S. Highway 431. The highway, which runs through Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, has been dubbed the “Highway to Hell” because it features numerous crosses honoring the memories of those who have perished in fatal car accidents. According to traffic fatality data, Route 431 is the fourth-deadliest road in the country.
US Highway 431 has even been called “one of the most unbelievably dangerous and spectacular roads in the world,” ranking right alongside Federal Highway No. 1 in Carretera, Mexico and the one-lane Zoji Pass in India. Moreover, Reader’s Digest voted Highway 431 one of “America’s Deadliest Highways.”
Many of the hallmarks of dangerous roads are present on U.S. Route 431:
- Poor visibility: When motorists can’t see very far ahead of them on the road, dangerous and potentially fatal accidents become more likely.
- High speeds: A highway like US Route 431 that allows drivers to travel at high speeds is a double-edged sword. Although motorists can get to their destinations quicker, accidents involving vehicles traveling at high rates of speed can result in catastrophic damage and fatalities. Even with frequent patrols by Alabama State Troopers meant to cut down on speeding, drivers still face serious risks on Highway 431.
- Changing number of lanes: When roads like Route 431 constantly shift the total number of lanes, it can lead to dangerous merging accidents. Additionally, a lack of signage to indicate a reduction in lanes could mean that drivers don’t have enough notice of the danger ahead. On U.S. Route 431, drivers often encounter sudden 2-4 lane changes.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident on one of Alabama’s highways, contact Salter Ferguson today.