Most Fatal Intersections in America (2024)
Some of the most deadly intersections in the United States are located in New Jersey, Florida, and Missouri. Living in an area highly prone to accidents can cause your auto insurance rates to be higher. Learn how to avoid accidents and how much you might pay for coverage.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- You can find fatal intersections at the crossing of a highway and a secondary road
- Most fatal intersections are in rural areas without a lot of heavy traffic
- Living near a place with more fatal car accidents could cause your auto insurance rates to increase
Intersections can be dangerous to navigate. Countless car accidents occur at intersections throughout the United States, with more than 20% of fatal U.S. car crashes occurring at intersections.
From 2000 to 2019, there were almost 160,000 fatal crashes at intersections in the U.S. But studies show that not all intersections pose a risk for deadly accidents. In fact, when you analyze the numbers, fewer than one percent of all intersections in the U.S. has been the site of a fatal crash.
So what makes an intersection so deadly, and what should you do if you live in an area prone to fatal car accidents? Sometimes, the best thing you can do is remain focused when you’re behind the wheel.
What are the most fatal intersections in the United States?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released information discussing the most fatal intersections in the U.S. based on data from 2000 to 2019. According to the NHTSA, the following intersections are among the most deadly in the country:
- Lalor Street and State Route 129 in New Jersey (nine fatalities)
- East Jersey Street and U.S. 1 & 9 in New Jersey (nine fatalities)
- Massachusetts Avenue and State Route 70 in New Jersey (eight fatalities)
- State Route 70, U.S. 41, State Route 45, and 14th Street West in Florida (seven fatalities)
- State Route 19 and State Route 40 in Florida (seven fatalities)
- State Route 360 and U.S. 287 in Texas (seven fatalities)
- Grand Boulevard and Montgomery Street in Missouri (seven fatalities)
- State Route 132, State Route 2019, and Knights Road in Pennsylvania (seven fatalities)
- East Grand Street and U.S. 1 & 9 in New Jersey (seven fatalities)
- State Route 46 and State Route 83 in Michigan (seven fatalities)
- Dug Hill Road and State Route 2 in Alabama (seven fatalities)
- Pierce Ferry Road and U.S. 93 in Arizona (seven fatalities)
- County Road 74 and State Road 31 in Florida (seven fatalities)
- Farm-to-Market 866 and State Route 32 in Texas (seven fatalities)
- Deen Still Road, State Route 33 Commonwealth Avenue in Florida (seven fatalities)
As you can see, the most dangerous intersections in America in terms of fatalities are located in New Jersey. Fatal accidents at intersections are more common in New Jersey and Florida than in any other state. While there’s no way to know how each deadly accident occurred, there are some similarities.
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What makes certain intersections more dangerous?
Studies suggest that the most deadly intersections are at the crossing of a highway and a secondary road. In addition, fatal accidents at intersections are typically in rural areas.
Since New Jersey and Florida have the most fatal crashes at intersections, analyzing each state’s statistics regarding fatal car crashes could be helpful.
Statistics specific to fatalities by crash type in New Jersey are as follows:
Crash Type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Total Fatalities (All Crashes) 542 556 561 602 624
Single Vehicle 325 337 360 371 380
Involving a Large Truck 60 74 50 57 54
Involving Speeding 118 99 128 132 120
Involving a Rollover 77 68 86 83 72
Involving a Roadway Departure 254 234 242 280 266
Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related) 182 185 210 213 197
In comparison, the following table shows fatalities by crash type in Florida:
Crash Type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Involving a Large Truck 197 190 225 293 292
Involving Speeding 346 245 320 310 299
Involving a Rollover 431 371 481 573 538
Involving an Intersection 764 803 1,009 1,043 1,134
Involving a Roadway Departure 957 940 1,071 1,203 1,122
Single Vehicle 1,376 1,395 1,600 1,696 1,622
Total Fatalities (All Crashes) 2,403 2,494 2,938 3,176 3,112
In both states, fatalities at intersections are a considerable portion of the overall state car accident-related fatalities. All drivers must realize how fatal accidents occur and how to avoid them.
What should I do if I live near a deadly intersection?
If you live in an area prone to car accidents, and especially near one of the areas listed above, the best thing you can do is drive defensively.
Some of the best tips for defensive driving include:
- Considering safety first
- Paying attention to your surroundings
- Lowering your speed
- Avoiding distractions
Experts agree that distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. However, fatal accidents caused by distracted driving — like answering a text message or grabbing something out of the passenger seat — are ultimately preventable.
Anyone living in an area prone to automobile accidents should focus solely on driving and staying alert. Regardless of where you live, you should do your best to be a defensive driver when you get behind the wheel.
Does living in a dangerous area affect car insurance rates?
If you live in a dangerous area, there’s a chance you could end up paying more for your car insurance than if you lived in a safer part of town.
Auto insurance companies compile much of your personal information to decide how much you should pay for coverage. If you live in an area prone to car accidents, you may find that your rates are a bit higher than average.
However, your location isn’t the only factor that impacts your insurance rates. Some other common factors include:
- Age
- Gender
- Car make and model
- Credit score
- Driving history
- Marital status
It is difficult to find auto insurance at a reasonable price with a bad driving record.
The table below shows each state’s average monthly car insurance rates for a full coverage policy.
States Monthly Rates
Alabama $70
Alaska $88
Arizona $75
Arkansas $79
California $78
Colorado $94
Connecticut $82
Countrywide $101
Delaware $110
District of Columbia $101
Florida $83
Georgia $72
Hawaii $56
Idaho $71
Illinois $61
Indiana $57
Iowa $71
Kansas $76
Kentucky $114
Louisiana $57
Maine $91
Maryland $92
Massachusetts $57
Michigan $105
Minnesota $71
Mississippi $80
Missouri $70
Montana $72
Nebraska $67
Nevada $90
New Hampshire $66
New Jersey $115
New Mexico $77
New York $111
North Carolina $64
North Dakota $64
Ohio $64
Oklahoma $82
Oregon $75
Pennsylvania $79
Rhode Island $105
South Carolina $78
South Dakota $62
Tennessee $71
Texas $89
Utah $71
Vermont $62
Virginia $70
Washington $79
West Virginia $86
Wisconsin $60
Wyoming $70
If you carry a lower coverage level, like a liability-only policy, you may find that your monthly rates are lower than your state’s average. However, this also means you have less coverage.
Your insurance rates can increase at any time. If you notice your rates have increased, it may be because you live in a ZIP code considered a higher risk. You can always shop online and compare online quotes from multiple insurance providers to ensure you’re not paying too much for car insurance.
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The Most Fatal Intersections in America: The Bottom Line
While it’s difficult sometimes to comprehend, certain areas in the U.S. are much more prone to fatal car crashes, and intersections are often the site of these occurrences.
In New Jersey and Florida, intersections pose a considerable risk as far as fatalities in a car accident. Unfortunately, Texas also has several fatal intersections.
If you live near an area or intersection listed above or are simply concerned with safe driving, it’s important to remember that you can avoid most of these accidents by taking proper precautions.
Avoid distracted driving and stay aware of your surroundings when you’re behind the wheel. If you notice your car insurance rates increased but your driving record remained the same, you may need to shop around for coverage with another provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the most expensive commute in the United States?
Fremont, California, has the most expensive commute in the country.
How many cities out of the 10 with the most expensive commutes are located in California?
Five out of the 10 cities with the most expensive commutes are located in California.
Which state has the least expensive commute costs?
South Dakota has the cheapest commuting costs among the states.
What is the average travel time to work in San Francisco, California?
The mean travel time to work in San Francisco is 35 minutes.
How did COVID-19 impact commuting and work days?
COVID-19 led to a reduction in commuting as more people started working from home, and it also contributed to the phenomenon known as the Great Resignation, where many individuals left their jobs to pursue different opportunities or start their own businesses.
How do commute costs affect personal time and savings?
Commute costs can consume a significant amount of time, money, and energy, impacting personal time and savings. Americans lose money on their commutes, and the costs vary depending on the state and city.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.