Over the years, Florida has held many coveted #1 titles — #1 college football team, #1 college basketball team, #1 best place to live, to retire, and to move to are just a few examples. Unfortunately, according to a new survey by Geotab, Florida is also home to the most dangerous highway in America.

What is the most dangerous highway in America?

The survey, which obtained its data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Florida Highway Administration, found that Florida’s portion of US-1 had the most fatal accidents of any highway in the entire nation during the last 10 years.

There were 1,011 fatal crashes and 1,079 fatalities on US-1 in Florida during the last 10 years. This gives US-1 a fatal crash rate of 2.8.

How do Florida’s statistics compare to other states?

To put Florida’s numbers for crashes, fatalities, and crash rate in perspective, the most dangerous highway in the state of Texas, US-83, which holds the second spot on the list, has a fatal crash rate of 2.0, with 268 fatal crashes and 336 fatalities in the last 10 years. That is only a fourth of the number of fatal crashes on US-1 in Florida.

For another comparison, the most dangerous highway in the state of Rhode Island, which occupies number 50 on the list, had only 57 fatal crashes and 60 fatalities in the last 10 years, and possesses a fatal crash rate of only 0.1.

How does this affect me?

Florida does not just have the number one spot; it also claimed the second, third, fifth, ninth, and 10th spots on the list of the nation’s most dangerous highways, according to a Forbes report.

Two of the top ten most dangerous highways (US-1 and US-441) in the nation cut through Fort Lauderdale. US-98, another dangerous Florida highway stretches into neighboring Palm Beach County.

Forbes suggests using this information to avoid traveling on these dangerous highways; however, this is not always possible. If you absolutely need to take US-1 or US-441 to get to work or take your kids to school, there are a few things you can do to stay safe:

  • Give the road your full attention. Do not answer emails, make work calls, or put on your mascara while driving.
  • Always wear your seat belt, even if you are only driving down the street. Make sure everyone in your car puts on their seat belt before you head out.
  • Follow the speed limit. The speed limits on these roads can vary greatly from one mile to the next. Always keep an eye out for changing speed limits and never travel above them, especially in bad weather.
  • Never drive fatigued. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel. If you feel you are too tired to drive, call a taxi, Uber, or Lyft.

For more information on staying safe on our roads, check out our blog.