Certain roads in the San Francisco Bay Area are more dangerous to drive than others. These are typically U.S. 101, Interstates 80, 880, 280 and Highway 1 and 5. The reasons for the higher level of driving risks on these roads vary, but can be attributed to things like traffic congestion, landscape curves, precipices, aggressive, distracted or drunk drivers, and construction projects. In addition, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on these roads. Although all drivers should drive defensively, special care should be taken when navigating these particular routes.
U.S. 101
As part of the Pacific Coast Highway system, U.S. 101 is both a well-known and well-traveled road. This may be a factor in why it is frequently congested, causing many motor vehicle accidents to occur on this stretch of San Francisco freeway. Recently, a 36-year-old man was struck and killed on 101 while helping with an overturned vehicle near Santa Margarita. Another girl, only 16 years old, was also killed when the vehicle she was riding in was struck, fell down a ditch and hit a tree. Her 17-year-old driver had been drinking.
80, 880 and 280
One of the main issues increasing the I-880 corridor's danger these days, which includes I-80 to the north and I-280 to the south and east, is the major road improvement project that began in 2006 and should end in 2014. As recently as early December a woman was killed when she struck the concrete center median on I-880, travelled to the other side of the road, hit some attenuator barrels and then spun back into the traffic where she was struck multiple times. These types of accidents occur too often.
Highways 1 and 5
California Highway 1 stretches from north of San Francisco to where it meets U.S. 101 at Leggett. This stretch is known as the Shoreline Highway. It is a beautiful, but curvy road, which increases its danger. According to an independent blog that compiled accident data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for 2004 to 2008, Highway 5 ranks 32 out of 100 in the list of deadliest highways. There were 674 fatal accidents that occurred on Highway 5 during this period, which is almost one accident per mile.
Proceed with Caution
When it comes to driving on the freeways and highways that surround San Francisco, motorists should exercise heightened caution on certain roads to avoid motor vehicle accidents, injuries and death. If you or your loved one was injured on or around one of these major stretches of road, you are urged to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in the Bay Area for a confidential discussion about legal services that may be available to you to help you recover for vehicle damage, lost wages and medical costs.
