In Georgia, taking certain roads increases your likelihood of ending up in a car accident. These roads and intersections are known dangers, whether that is due to them being badly congested, frequently worked on, or more. Here are five of the roads you should avoid if you want to avoid possible accidents in Georgia.
Reasons for the Increased Danger
Not all the roads below are dangerous for the same reasons. There are special factors that lead to each of them being dangerous, but let’s take a look at some general reasons why one stretch of road may be more prone to car accidents than another.
- Frequent construction
- Bumpy roads with potholes or fading lines
- Too much traffic
- Multiple-street intersections
- Blind intersections
- Malfunctioning stop lights and other signals
- Narrow roadways.
The five most dangerous roads in Georgia might fall prey to one or more of these issues.
1. I-20
Interstate 20 runs For about 202 miles through the center of Georgia, from one state line to the other. It begins at the South Carolina state line (the Savannah River), travels through the center of Atlanta, and ends in Augusta.
Though the I-20 is still four lanes wide in most places (and 10 lanes wide in Atlanta), studies have shown that it is the deadliest stretch of highway in the state. That is because there were more fatalities within a shorter stretch of highway on I-20 than any other road in Georgia.
In short, there are more deadly crashes per mile than any other road in the state. Because it runs through Atlanta, there is also a lot of truck traffic present on the I-20.
2. I-75
Interstate 75 is a north-south highway that travels through Valdosta, Macon, and Atlanta. It also runs through the heart of Atlanta, which is part of the reason that it is so deadly. While there are fewer fatal crashes on this road per mile than on the I-20, it is still well-known for its many truck accidents.
Though the highway stretches about 355 from the Tennessee state line down to Florida, most of the deadly crashes attributed to it occur in and around Atlanta. It’s the fastest way to get through the state if you are going South, but it is also one of the most dangerous.
3. Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta
Mike Padgett Highway is easily the most dangerous road in Augusta, but not for the same reasons as the other roads on this list. The casualties on Mike Padgett Highway usually aren’t due to collisions with other cars, but with pedestrians. This highway has the largest pedestrian fatality rate in Georgia.
And this street is not just famous in Georgia. In 2019, Mike Padgett Highway was named one of the most hazardous in the U.S. for pedestrians and foot traffic.
4. I-16
Interstate 16 is shorter than most of the highways on this list. At just over 166 miles, this is a short highway that runs from Macon to Savannah, cutting through the state in a southeastern direction. Moreover, I-75 at Macon turns into the 1-16, meaning that it’s a continuation of an already deadly road.
I-16 is also called the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and unfortunately has one of the highest fatality rates along its entire length. In 2015, there were no fewer than 28 fatal crashes on the I-16, and 18 of those were attributed to tractor-trailers.
5. I-85
Interstate 85 runs southwest to northeast through the center of Georgia. It connects Georgia to Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. It connects with the infamous I-75 in Atlanta, which is where some of the fatalities occur.
This interstate averages about 0.6 fatalities per mile, which is a startling average, even on this list.
Conclusion
If you find yourself in an accident on these roads (or any other road in Georgia), don’t hesitate to contact your Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers to learn about your legal rights and options. These roads are dangerous, but navigating your car accident case doesn’t have to be!
