The Most Dangerous Interstates in Mississippi

Mississippi has consistently been ranked as one of the most dangerous states to drive in. In 2010, Reader’s Digest published a study ranking state’s by “deadliest roads”, placing Mississippi as sixth. In 2019, the state of Mississippi had 21.6 car accident fatalities per 100,000 people. This placed Mississippi as having the second most car accident fatalities per 100,000 people, right behind Wyoming. Knowing this, let’s take a look at the most dangerous interstates in the state.

Dangerous Interstates In Mississippi

I-55

Interstate 55 is one of the most dangerous roadways in Mississippi, likely because it is one of the most traveled. Located in northwest Mississippi, there are about 0.61 fatalities per mile on I-55.

I-59

Interstate 59 passes through many rural parts of Mississippi. Studies have shown that accidents are more likely to occur on rural roads. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the rate of crash fatalities per 100 million miles traveled was around 2 times as high in rural areas as in urban areas in 2019. Thus, it’s no surprise that I-59 makes the list of most dangerous interstates in the state.

I-20

Located in central Mississippi, I-20 is more narrow and winding than the previously listed interstates. Many accidents on Interstate 20 involve tractor trailers. Approximately 0.66 fatalities per mile occur on Interstate 20.

Why Rural Roads Are Especially Dangerous

Being one of the most rural states in the country, Mississippi has a large share of rural roads. Rural roads have been proven to be more dangerous due to a number of reasons. High-speed collisions, less visibility, and drunk driving tend to all occur more often on rural roads. Fatal car accidents are also more likely to occur on Mississippi’s rural roads due to the fact that it takes emergency vehicles longer to reach the scene of the accident and motorists often have to be transported a longer distance to reach a hospital.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Speeding

These common causes can all be avoided. Avoiding distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding can help keep you and others on the road safe. 

Contact a Car Accident Attorney if You’ve Been Injured in an Accident

If you’ve been injured in a Mississippi car accident, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The Gulfport car accident attorneys at Morris Bart can help you navigate the insurance claims process and get you the compensation you deserve. Make sure you refrain from speaking with the opposing insurance company before consulting with an attorney as anything you say could affect the outcome of your case.