What’s the Most Dangerous Highway in Mississippi?

In 2016, over 37,000 lives were lost in car accidents all over the country. The majority of these were single-vehicle accidents. Mississippi is no stranger to motor vehicle fatalities; however, this unnecessary and devastating loss of life is often preventable. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or worse in a car accident in Mississippi, our dedicated Mississippi car accident lawyer will help you hold the negligent party accountable.

Mississippi Highway Accident Statistics

• There were 690 fatalities on Mississippi roadways in 2016, per the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mississippi has one of the highest car accident death rates per capita, at 23.1 deaths for every 100,000 people.
• This also remains true when you narrow the population sample to children. A study from August 2017 by the Journal of Pediatrics found that mortality rate in motor vehicles crashes is 3.23 children per 100,000. National, the rate is 0.25 out of 100,000. 38 percent of those children were not properly buckled.
• Statistically, 1 out of 2 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Mississippi were not buckled up.
• Nationally, 90.1% of Americans wear their seat belts. In Mississippi, that number is only 77.9%.
• In 2011, pedestrian deaths accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and made up 3% of all the people injured in traffic crashes.

Dangerous Highways in Mississippi

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to decipher which one highway is the most dangerous in Mississippi; however, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Mississippi Department of Transportation give us some idea as to where you should be most careful when traveling.

I-55

Interstate 55 is one of the most traveled roads in northwest Mississippi and it’s known for its accidents. There are approximately 0.61 fatalities per mile. One of the major hazards in this portion of the state is the road, itself.

For example, the Hickahala Creek Bridge was labeled as structurally deficient and given a rating of 28.5 by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Any rating below a 50 requires the bridge be repaired with federal money. While it was determined that flooding in 2015 was the damage culprit, the bridge was found to be missing overlays, nuts, and bolts. Rebar was also exposed and there were cracks on the bridge deck. Structural deficiency like this can cause major accidents.

I-20

Interstate 20 travels through the central region of Mississippi. Compared to other highways, it’s narrower and winding. There are several segments of the road where opposing traffic is not visible because of dense vegetation in the meridian. Many of the collisions on I-20 involved tractor trailers. It’s estimated that 0.66 fatalities per mile occur on this portion of the interstate.

I-59

I-59 passes mainly through rural areas of Mississippi. One of the biggest hazards on the road is the sharp S-curve around mile marker 96. The speed limit drops down to 40mph in this zone; however, that doesn’t stop people from speeding around the notorious curves. Reports put the fatalities per mile at 0.55.

Improving Highway Safety in Mississippi

While it’s important to take note of where the majority of Mississippi accidents occurs, it’s also important to recognize why these accidents happen. The most common causes are due to drunk driving, distracted driving, disobeying traffic laws, speeding, and vehicle defects.

In order to combat these issues, Mississippi has a variety of programs and initiatives in place – many of which are geared towards children and teens. Some of their more successful initiatives have been Teens on the Move, Buckle for Life, and Rock the Belt. Teens on the Move spreads awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. Buckle for Life promotes the use of seatbelts and child restraints. Rock the Belt is an hour-long program that engages students in hands-on activities to promote seatbelt use.

For more information on how Mississippi is trying to improve their highway safety and save lives, visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. If you have questions or concerns about your car accident claim, contact us online today.