Whether driving is a pleasure, a necessity or a little of both, certain dangers come with getting behind the wheel. There is more to avoiding an accident than being a safe driver. Many potential hazards on the road can lead to a collision.
In Washington, several roads have higher fatality rates than others. While these roads may be more dangerous than others, the causes of the accidents are common across the state and the country.
Here’s what you should know about the deadliest roads in Washington.
Top five dangerous roads
A recent study looked at stretches of road with high accident statistics. In addition to overall fatalities, the study also looked at deaths per mile. The 2019 list of deadliest roads included the following:
- Aurora Avenue (SR-99). The stretch between N. Winona Avenue and N. 155th Street had an average of 2.2 deadly crashes per mile.
- Pacific Highway (SR-99). In 2019, there were 1.8 fatal accidents per mile between S. 252nd Street and 176th Street.
- I-5. There were eight fatal accidents leading to an average of 1.6 fatal accidents per mile from S. 96 Street and Exit 133.
- I-5. Another stretch of I-5 joins the others on the list with 1.3 fatal accidents per mile from Exit 119 and 124 (Steilacoom-Dupont Road to Gravelly Lake Drive).
- Pacific Highway (SR-99). SR-99 finds a third place on the list with six fatal accidents and 1.2 deadly crashes per mile.
When traveling on these roads, it is essential to be aware of your surroundings to avoid some of the common factors that cause crashes.
Similarities among the accidents
Most of the accidents on these roads did not have unique causes. Like many accidents, the fatalities in these areas included factors such as:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
When you take the time to focus on the road, mind your speed and call for a sober ride, you can drastically increase your chances of getting home safely. Keeping your focus on driving has the additional benefit of helping you avoid a collision with those who may not have safe driving habits.