It’s no secret that Highway 99 is among the most dangerous roadways in the United States.
Numerous deadly crashes here have earned Highway 99 its reputation as one of the worst roads in the nation on a list of the top 50 most dangerous roads, according a new report released by ValuePenguin.
Indeed, between 2011 to 2015, Highway 99 reported more crashes for every 100 miles than any other roadway. There were actually 62.3 deadly crashes for every 100 miles.
Reasons why Highway 99 is so Dangerous
- Drivers who travel on Highway 99 at nighttime are especially at risk. Some 108 fatal crashes on Highway 99 reportedly took place in the nighttime or dark. That equates to 26 fatal crashes for every 100 miles of the 424-mile roadway. That also represents about 40 percent of all fatal crashes on Highway 99 over the 5-year period.
- Drunk driving collisions on Highway 99 are also a problem. The highway came in second place behind the Interstate 45 in Texas for having 16.9 deadly crashes per 100 miles between 2011 and 2015. Texas had 17.5 deadly collisions for every 100 miles of roadway.
- Speeding is also a factor in many of the collisions on Highway 99. Roughly a third of all crashes involving a fatality involve speeding and this aging highway with its narrow lanes is certainly not the place to drive above the speed limits. Also, some segments of this highway allow for a 70 mph speed limit compared to just 65 mph on most California highways.
- Speaking of speed, State Senator John Moorlach (R- Orange County) recently introduced SB 319 which calls for the construction of two new traffic lanes on Highway 99 and Interstate 5 with no speed limit at all. No word yet on whether that would actually get passed and become a law.
History of Golden State Highway 99
Most people refer to State Route 99 as simply Highway 99 or just the 99. The highway, which is a remnant of the former 1970s-era US Route 99 from Mexico to Canada, runs in a north–south direction through the heart of California and stretches its way almost the entire length of the Central Valley. The Golden State Highway was popular in the 1930s as a route for Dust Bowl immigrant farm workers to travel throughout the state, according to Wikipedia. It was assigned in 1926, however, once the larger Interstate 5 Freeway was built in 1972 it lost many long distance travelers and truckers.
Highway 99 Accident Attorney
Johnson Attorneys Group has been handling accident claims for clients throughout California for more than a decade. We know there are dangerous highways as well as dangerous drivers that threaten your safety and put you at risk. If you are involved in a collision with a negligent driver or a crash results from poor highway maintenance or a dangerous condition, we have got your back. Contact us for a free consultation at 800-235-6801. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help.
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