Deadly crashes are more likely on stretches of these highways and state roads in our part of the country.
Commuters in Chicago or Indianapolis may not be surprised to learn that parts of their daily routes to work or school are considered high risk for serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents. Driving along I-80 and 1-94 in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, things can get dicey with the huge number of semi-trucks rumbling alongside sedans, SUVs, and pickups all driving very fast.
For instance, most of us know the Borman Expressway is infamous for its auto accidents and truck crashes; see, e.g., the piece written by Jerry Davish and published on March 29, 2019, in the Chicago Tribune entitled “Borman Expressway can be a gamble — or a game — during commute.”
Still, there are no clear warnings or maps online to identify the riskiest routes for drivers in Illinois or Indiana. Studies vary on which highways or state roads are the most dangerous; they are usually based upon fatality statistics.
It’s important that drivers in our part of the country understand the risks they are undertaking when they choose to drive a certain route. This is especially true for inexperienced teen drivers, since most fatalities in this age group are caused by motor vehicle crashes. See, Teen Driver Accidents in the Summer: the 100 Deadliest Days for Fatal Teen Car Crashes.
Dangerous and Deadly Roads in Indiana and Illinois
There is no easy list to upload or review that identifies the routes with the highest risk of a crash in Illinois or Indiana. Surf the web, and you will find assorted lists covering deadly stretches of roadway across the country, or regional studies like the ongoing one by the NWI Times entitled “The Region’s Deadliest Roads.”
From these resources, the following dangers are named:
1. Interstate 65 – Indiana
Interstate 65 begins in Gary, Indiana, and routes south to Mobile, Alabama. The highway averages 0.48 deaths per mile. It is 887.3 miles long, connecting the Great Lakes with the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to Gary, I-65 passes through New Albany, Seymour, Columbus, Franklin, Indianapolis, Lebanon, and Lafayette as it moves through Indiana. Its highest daily traffic rate is in Indianapolis, where 144,880 vehicles are sharing the lanes of I-65 each day.
2. Interstate 69 – Indiana
One nationwide study of dangerous roadways found Indiana’s I-69 as the 22nd most dangerous road in the country, with 80 fatalities in motor vehicle accidents during a one-year time period. See, “These Are The Most Dangerous Highways In The United States,” written by Jenni Fink and published by Newsweek on August 1, 2018.
Currently, I-69 passes through Evansville, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Anderson, Muncie, and Fort Wayne. Its busiest traffic section is in Indianapolis, followed by Fort Wayne.
I-69 is part of the NAFTA Superhighway, comprising its High Priority Corridor 18. This Superhighway is currently under construction as a 1660 mile route that will eventually connect Canada with Mexico, moving through Michigan and Indiana southwards to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas.
3. US Highway 34 – Illinois
There is one Illinois highway considered so dangerous that the Illinois State Police have issued public warnings of the high risk of being in a serious accident while driving this route. It is US Route 34, as it moves from Monmouth to the Illinois border with Iowa.
This single section of Illinois roadway, Route 34, has had 9.5 serious injuries or deaths for each mile it covers. Speeding is considered by law enforcement to be a contributing factor to the high risk of crashing on this part of the Illinois highway.
For details, read “IL State Police warn of dangerous stretch of Highway 34,” written by James Stratton and published by KWQC on March 30, 2017.
4. I-80 La Grange Road Ramp – Illinois
In one study of the most dangerous places in the State of Illinois, a stretch of roadway on Interstate 80 where traffic can use exit 145 to enter US Route 45 is named. Among a list that includes shootings, arson, and tornado statistics, it is the only traffic threat to be named as one of the most dangerous places in the state.
5. Various Intersections – Illinois
Several years ago, the Chicago Sun Times used data collected by the Illinois Department of Transportation to find the most dangerous traffic intersections in the state. Topping that list was the aforementioned I-80 exit ramp to US 45. Others on the list included:
- Stony Island Avenue at South Chicago Avenue, Chicago
- Cicero Avenue and 127th Street, Alsip
- North Avenue at First Avenue, Melrose Park
- Ogden Avenue at Illinois 59, Naperville
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue, Chicago
- Hunt Club Road at Grand Avenue, Gurnee
- Kedzie Avenue at Belmont Avenue, Chicago
- 22nd Street at Kingery Highway, Oakbrook Terrace
- Lincoln Highway at Cicero Avenue, Matteson.
Justice after a Serious Accident on the Most Dangerous Roads in Illinois and Indiana
These studies serve as a warning to us all that there are certain roadways in our part of the country that are extremely risky. Drivers choosing to take one of these roads, or to drive through one of these risky intersections, must be especially careful and alert to the possibility of an accident.
In these high danger routes, it is especially true that a driver may be the victim of a serious or fatal accident through no fault of his or her own. The mistake, negligence, or recklessness of another driver cannot be predicted and may result in a severe crash with deadly consequences.
Choosing an alternative route to these known dangers may be wise, especially during holiday times or for inexperienced teen drivers. However, deciding to take one of these high risk routes in and of itself may not be considered as a proximate cause of the crash. These are public roads, open to the public for use and presumed to be drive-worthy and safe.
Anyone driving the roads of Indiana and Illinois must be aware of the dangers of a serious or fatal auto accident or truck crash. It is a reality we face here in the Crossroads of America. Please be careful out there!
