Most Dangerous Roads in St.Louis, MO
St. Louis is one of Missouri’s biggest cities. It features numerous historic neighborhoods, some with narrow streets, and has several major highways running through it. As a result, St. Louis experiences a large number of serious and fatal car accidents. Reducing the high number of collisions in the city requires an understanding of where and why they happen.
Traffic Accidents And Fatalities In St. Louis City
On average, St. Louis experiences approximately 59 fatal traffic crashes yearly. In 2022, 58 people died in traffic collisions in the city. This was eight more people than the previous year. Among these individuals, 35 died in crashes at night on lighted roads, 22 occurred during daylight hours, and the remaining one died in a collision at night on an unlighted road.
An additional 5,358 individuals were injured in some way in motor vehicle crashes. This was 648 fewer people than in 2021. Injuries ranged from minor bumps and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
With so many lives affected, seeking guidance from a car accident lawyer in St. Louis can be crucial in navigating the legal process and securing fair compensation.
Top 3 Most Dangerous Roads In St. Louis
Three roads within the city limits accounted for 15 fatalities or 26% of the total number of deaths. These three roads were:
- Kingshighway Boulevard
- Interstate 55
- Delmar Boulevard
Each one recorded five fatalities in 2022. Overall, 53% of motor vehicle wreck deaths occurred on arterial roads, 28% on interstates, and the remainder on local roads, in parking lots, or on collector roads. Grand Boulevard was the most dangerous road for pedestrians. In 2022, 21 pedestrian crashes happened on this road alone.
Speed Is The Most Common Contributing Factor
Thirty-six percent of fatality wrecks were partly caused by speeding. Speeding includes exceeding the posted speed limit on a street and driving aggressively during poor weather or road conditions. Speeding makes it more challenging for drivers to safely bring their cars to a stop in an emergency.
A speeding car is also more likely to cause serious or fatal injuries in a crash. The faster a speeding object moves at the time of impact, the greater the force that will be transferred to the other object at impact. Approximately two-thirds of fatality crashes occurred on roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
Other Dangerous Driving Behaviors
Aside from speeding, the following choices can increase the chance that a major accident will happen:
- Driving While Impaired by Alcohol or Drugs: Negatively affects your ability to see dangers on the road and respond appropriately
- Being Distracted by a Cell Phone, Food, or Other Item or Person: Divides your attention and increases your response time in the event you must take evasive action.
- Not Getting Enough Sleep Before Driving: This can make it more difficult for you to see dangers or reach
- Failing to Follow the Rules of the Road: It is especially dangerous to disobey right-of-way laws or traffic signals that allow for the safe and orderly movement of traffic
Also, not keeping your vehicle in good working order can further increase the chances of a crash. If your car’s brakes are in need of a replacement, or if other safety equipment is not working properly, you could sustain more severe harm in a wreck.
St. Louis Car Crash Recovery
St. Louis roads are not completely safe. About four to five individuals are killed in motor vehicle wrecks every month, and hundreds more sustain injuries in crashes. Nonetheless, those who drive defensively and exercise greater caution on roads that experience a higher number of severe crashes can significantly reduce their risk of an accident.