What are the Most Dangerous Roads in Chicago?

As the third largest city in the United States, Chicago is home to a complex network of roads and highways that are used by millions of people every day. While the city has made significant efforts to improve road safety in recent years, there are still some roads that are more dangerous than others. Understanding risk is one of the most important aspects of being a safe driver. Knowing when and where to drive more defensively could save your life.

Chicago’s Most Dangerous Road – the Dan Ryan

According to data from the Chicago Department of Transportation, the most dangerous road in Chicago is the Dan Ryan Expressway. This heavily-trafficked highway runs through the South Side of the city and is prone to serious accidents due to its high speeds and heavy congestion. In 2018 alone, there were over 1,100 crashes on the Dan Ryan, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities.

Other Dangerous Roads in Chicago

Another dangerous road in Chicago is the Kennedy Expressway, which is another heavily-trafficked highway that runs through the city. Like the Dan Ryan, the Kennedy is prone to serious accidents due to its high speeds and heavy congestion. In 2018, there were over 900 crashes on the Kennedy, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities.

Other dangerous roads in Chicago include the Lake Shore Drive, the Stevenson Expressway, and the Eisenhower Expressway. These roads are also heavily-trafficked highways that are prone to serious accidents due to their high speeds and heavy congestion.

Chicago’s Most Dangerous Local Routes

In addition to these major highways, there are also several local roads in Chicago that are known for their high rates of accidents and fatalities. One of the most dangerous local roads in the city is Cottage Grove Avenue, which runs through some of the most impoverished neighborhoods on the South Side. In 2018, there were over 700 crashes on Cottage Grove, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities.

Other dangerous local roads in Chicago include Western Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Kedzie Avenue. These roads are all heavily-trafficked and are known for their high rates of accidents and fatalities.

How Can We Make Chicago Safer?

So what can be done to make Chicago’s roads safer? One solution is to invest in infrastructure improvements, such as better lighting and signage, which can help to reduce the number of accidents. Another solution is to increase the enforcement of traffic laws, such as cracking down on speeding and distracted driving. Similarly, taking personal steps to reduce the risk of the most common types of car accidents like using turn signals and looking over your shoulder can help.

Additionally, the city could consider implementing measures such as traffic calming devices, which are physical structures that are designed to reduce the speed of vehicles and improve safety. These devices could include roundabouts, speed humps, and traffic circles.

Ultimately, the key to improving road safety in Chicago is a combination of infrastructure improvements, enforcement of traffic laws, and education. By working together, we can make Chicago’s roads safer for everyone.