Drivers on this nation’s highways and byways know that they have to contend with a lot of dangers. You won’t spend very long on the road without spotting near-misses between cars merging into traffic, unsafe lane changes, speeding in school and construction zones, tailgating and distracted driving.
However, some roads are arguably more dangerous than others. If you live in Ohio, knowing where you have to be “extra defensive” as you drive may just save your life or the life of someone you love.
The 10 deadliest roads you can travel in this state
When researchers evaluated the number of crashes, fatal or not, between Jan. 1, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2023, they determined that these were the most dangerous roads for travel in Ohio:
- I-75, particularly the part passing through either Cincinnati or Dayton
- I-71, especially the sections passing through Cincinnati or Columbus
- U.S. Route 20, particularly where it passes through Painesville, Mentor or Toledo
- I-70 cuts through the middle of the state, but the area around Columbus is deadly
- U.S. Route 42, which is largely rural but very dangerous near both Cleveland and Cincinnati
- U.S. Route 23, which passes through Franklin County and Columbus
- I-77, which is known around the Summit County area for near-daily accidents among commuters
- I-90, which borders Lake Erie and runs along the top of the state and is well-known for speeders
- U.S. Route 40, which also cuts through many rural areas in the center of the state
- S.R. 4, which is another rural road with lots of accidents in Butler County, especially around Fairfield, Hamilton and Middletown
Ultimately, no matter how cautious you may be as a driver, you can still end up in a wreck. If that happens, experienced legal guidance can help you determine who is at fault and what compensation may be available to you for your losses. You may even be able to explore additional claims against the state for negligent highway design, collisions with construction vehicles or other roadway hazards.