The 4 Deadliest Freeways in Los Angeles
Driving is a big part of the lives of Los Angeles residents. On a regular weekday, they tend to cover more than 9 miles. However, Los Angeles thrives in tourism too. The roadways are usually crammed with people from all over the world, lured in by the high-life of LA.
Unsurprisingly, there is a high number of car crashes that occur throughout the area. In fact, a fatal collision happens every 36 hours. This, however, changed under the quarantine. Starting with March, vehicle crashes occurred at a lower rate, one every 60 hours. The effect seems to be fading, and the number of traffic deaths is increasing to pre-pandemic levels.
When you are on the road, you should be extra careful when you drive on the most dangerous freeways in Los Angeles. Several of these are part of highways or interstates. In the following, we will cover some of the deadliest sections, like Hollywood Freeway or the Golden State freeway.
Golden State Freeway
The Golden State Freeway is part of Interstate 5 (I-5), the deadliest highway in California. For three years (between 2015-2017), there were 192 fatalities registered. Interstate 5 has several named sections, including the Golden State Freeway.
The Freeway faithfully accompanies the Los Angeles River on the Northside of the downtown area. There are several landmarks along the way of Golden State Freeway, including:
- Griffith Park (the freeway passes on the east side of the park)
- San Fernando Valley (an urbanized valley that hugs part of the city of Los Angeles)
- Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park
- Castaic Lake of the Sierra Pelona Mountains
A particularly dangerous section of the Golden State Freeway is in Castaic, in the northern part of Los Angeles County. During the winter, a portion of the I-5 was closed due to unsuitable conditions. Icy roads added an extra layer of danger to this steep pass with very high traffic during the holiday season.
In such cases, drivers had two options, wait until the section is cleared or take a long detour. However, the median of the Golden State Freeway has had a gate since 2019, which allows cars to turn back. While the “Snow Gate” does not solve the problem completely, it does simplify things a bit.
Harbor Freeway
This Freeway is also known as Interstate 110 and State Route 110. To be more exact, the portion known as Interstate 110 starts at San Pedro, runs north to Santa Monica Freeway, and south of Downtown LA it becomes known as State Route 10. A couple of noteworthy aspects of the freeway are the high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane and the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange.
There are many areas along the road that feature HOT lanes which are elevated above the general traffic. These roadways can be accessed by high-occupancy vehicles for no charge, while other cars have to pay. However, the use of these lanes remains optional.
While on the topic, the most complex web of HOT/HOV (high-occupancy vehicle lane) connectors in Los Angeles County is the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange. It is quite a spectacular spot that was even featured in movies like Speed.
When cruising on Harbor Freeway, you can check out some amazing attractions, such as:
- California State University
- Exposition Park
- Skyline of Downtown Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Convention Center
- The Banc of California Stadium
Hollywood Freeway
A component of the US Route 101, the Hollywood Freeway is one of the main freeways of La and, at the same time, the busiest in the entire US. It stretches for 17 miles and does not cross the bounds of LA.
The Hollywood Freeway has a couple of major junctions, where drivers should be more vigilant. At the South end, it meets with US 101 and SR 110 in Downtown LA, while at North Hollywood, it joins SR 170. At the North end, it unites with SR 170 in Sun Valley.
Taking this freeway is a great way to drive by some of the most interesting spots in LA:
- Universal Studios Hollywood in Studio City
- Hollywood
- Downtown LA
Santa Monica Freeway
Interstate 10 (I-10) connects Los Angeles to Florida through almost 2,500 miles of road, making it the fourth longest interstate in the country. The Californian segment covers Santa Monica, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Palm Springs. The Santa Monica Freeway is the most western section of the interstate. From the East Los Angeles Interchange to the southeast of Downtown LA, the road is known as San Bernardino Freeway.
The road acts as a border between South and West Los Angeles. Furthermore, it acts as a lifeline for Southern California, as it connects residents to downtown Los Angeles and the Westside. Santa Monica Freeway has built itself a reputation as one of the most congested roads in the US.
Dangers on the Freeway
The main reason that these freeways are dangerous is that they are overflowing with drivers. This leads to an increased risk of accidents. Especially busy periods during the summer and the holidays. Even if you drive safely, others might not. So, you should always be alert and ready to react.
Furthermore, driving in conditions of low visibility can add an extra level of danger. When you set off on one of these freeways, it is better to check the weather conditions before setting off. If the conditions are not right, consider postponing the trip.
If you were involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. In most cases, having an attorney on your side makes a huge difference when dealing with your insurance company. They know the specificity of the law and how to use it to your advantage. Make sure that you do not get a smaller settlement than you deserve from your claims adjuster.
Drive Safely
What makes these freeways particularly dangerous is the high traffic. Having many cars racing down the road creates more opportunities for car accidents. Make sure that you take precautionary measures before you hit the road and during the drive. The freeways will lead you to many stunning landmarks in LA just make sure you get there safely.
