I-8 near I-15 ranked as riskiest road in the U.S.
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A stretch of Interstate 8 in San Diego is the riskiest road in America, according to a new Allstate report.
The big picture: The I-8 around Exit 7 to I-15 earned the distinction with its woven web of interchanges where frequent sudden stops, complex merges and lane changes make the area susceptible to car crashes.
Driving the news: Allstate ranked roads based on 2024 data of rates of hard braking (decelerating 8 or more mph within one second) and speeding 15 mph over the posted limit.
- The riskiest time to drive that section of I-8 is Sunday through Thursday between 7pm and 11pm, according to Allstate. The safest time is weekday mornings before 9am.
By the numbers: There have been 76 crashes around Interstate 8 and Interstate 15 so far this year, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports through Oct. 22.
- About 40% resulted from unsafe speed and 40% are from unsafe turning or lane changes, per CHP.
- About a dozen caused major or minor injuries, and one was fatal.
Zoom in: CHP is investigating a fatal crash that shut down the freeway near that area for about 14 hours last week.
- A 25-year-old La Mesa police officer was struck by a car and killed as she stopped to help drivers in a crash on I-8, according to CHP. One of those drivers, a 19-year-old, also died at the scene.
- The man accused of hitting officer Lauren Craven was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Context: Alcohol and speeding are major factors in fatal crashes in California, and distracted driving is contributing to a rise in traffic deaths nationwide.
- The I-5 in San Diego County was recently identified as one of the state's deadliest roads.
The intrigue: The city recently lowered speed limits in busy neighborhoods, and San Diego's most dangerous streets and intersections are getting new safety features.
- Both moves are part of the city's effort to reduce pedestrian traffic deaths, which have been rising in recent years.