Each region seems to have its own idea of what constitutes a dangerous road. In some places, it can mean a divided highway without a dedicated right-turn lane, but in some states, the term takes on a whole new level of intimidation. AAA We recently announced that list America’s most dangerous roadsand some of our top picks might surprise you.
Some of the AAA selections include off-the-beaten-path roads that many consider destination drives. Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway in the San Juan Mountains is characterized by unprotected debris and snowy roads almost year-round. Alaska’s Dalton Highway is featured prominently in the ‘Ice Road Truckers’ show, spanning more than 400 miles of dirt and gravel roads.
The other roads on the list are likely closer to what most people think of when they hear dangerous roads. According to AAA, Atlanta’s I-285, aka “Perimeter,” is a dangerous road with acres of traffic, huge trucks, turns and construction work. Florida’s US Route 1 has a similar reputation, but Sunshine State’s problems tend to be related to high speeds and distracted driving. AAA says he has 87 people killed on that road between 2015 and 2019.
These roads are known for their corpse-heavy and sometimes picturesque locations, but any road can be dangerous if there are a few traits that make them so deadly. As AAA points out in its list, speed and distracted driving play a big role in making roads and highways dangerous. Long bridges can be a major distraction, as drivers can be confused by the lack of land. That said, some roads are inherently dangerous, so it’s a good idea to be prepared when heading out for long drives through deserts, mountains, or plains.
Check out the AAA list, which is surprisingly short. If you have any recommendations for roads they’ve missed, drop them in the comments below.
