Is Highway 99 In California The Most Dangerous Highway In The United States?
Highway 99 is well-known among Fresno drivers, and most have witnessed at least one serious collision on it. Highway 99, regarded as the most hazardous road in the country, is fraught with dangers due to its outdated structure and poor lighting. This is because this roadway, which runs through Central California, sees more fatal accidents than any other highway.
Additionally, there are a lot of intoxicated drivers and speeders on this roadway. We go into further depth about the factors that make State Route 99 so hazardous for drivers.
America's Riskiest Highway
Highway 99, though relatively short compared to most American highways, has been named the country's most dangerous highway because it has the most deadly accidents per 100 miles of any other road.
This highway's 400-mile route passes through:
- Sacramento
- Stockton
- Modesto
- Fresno
This highway experienced 62 fatal accidents per 100 miles over the last five years. On the road, Fresno is the city with the highest fatality rate.
Fatal truck accidents on Highway 99
Highway 99 has proven deadly for truck drivers and passenger vehicles. In Selma, Alabama, a tractor-trailer was traveling on Highway 99 in September 2016 when it abruptly left the road, tumbled to the road below, and caught fire. Due to the severity of the incident, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office stated that DNA tests would be required to identify the truck driver positively. No explanation for the accident has been provided.
In a major California truck accident the same year, a woman lost her life in an accident on Highway 99 near Fowler. Around 5:00 p.m, Linda Iversen-Gutierrez was driving her Ford Edge and had slowed down for traffic.
She slowed down, but the semi-truck driver behind her didn't see that and failed to use the brakes quickly enough. Gutierrez, a teacher with the Fowler Unified School District, was killed when the vehicle struck his automobile and slammed into it, sending it off the road and into a cement wall. Gutierrez was 58 years old. A 17-year-old passenger in the car was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. The truck accident did not result in injuries to the truck's occupants.
The Freightliner truck that hit Gutierrez's car belonged to 34-year-old Felipe Vasquez Capote. According to officials, it doesn't seem like drinking, or drugs contributed to the collision.
Causes of Truck Accidents on Highway 99
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study was published in 2007 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study investigation focused on the factors that led to fatal collisions involving trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds.
The agencies stated that "elements that influence the occurrence of a crash may take place hours, days, or months prior to the crash." They consist of the following:
- Driver education and experience
- Vehicle design and production
- Road and traffic signal circumstances, and
- Weather conditions
According to the report, 3 percent of crashes had environmental variables, such as issues with the road. Other factors contributing to heavy truck accidents include mechanical faults with the truck, such as braking troubles and shifting load, as well as issues with the driver, such as following too closely, being fatigued, and improperly managing the truck.
The causes that led to huge trucks colliding with passenger cars are-
- Traffic jams
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Carelessness
- Exhaustion
What Makes Highway 99 So Dangerous?
The main causes of the high number of accidents and fatalities on State Route 99 are as follows.
Lack of light and darkness
About 25.5 incidents per 100 miles occur on Highway 99 in the nighttime without lights. 40% of all fatal car accidents in the last five years have occurred in the dark without enough lighting.
Drunk Driving
29% of traffic deaths nationwide are caused by alcohol. Even though drunk driving has become less common over the past few decades, it still accounts for a significant portion of accidents on Highway 99.
Speeding
Speeding is frequently cited as a major contributing factor in collisions on the old and narrow road of Highway 99. Highway 99 currently has a speed limit of 70 MPH, an exception to California's typical maximum highway speed of 65 MPH.
Conclusion
Suppose you have been involved in a serious vehicle accident on Highway 99 and believe another driver or dangerous condition led to your accident. In that case, it's important to consult an experienced attorney to protect your rights. An attorney from a reputed firm can help you investigate the details of your accident to determine who is liable.