4 people died in 23 car crashes between 2000 and 2019 along that same stretch of I-95 between I-595 and State Road 84, which is now considered the “deadliest mile in America,” according to a new study.
The study looked at 20 years of fatal crash data — more than 91,000 accidents in total — across the United States and found that this stretch of I-95 saw nearly 50 times the number of fatal car accidents than the average highway mile.
“I-595 is dangerous. State Road 84 is dangerous. A lot of tourists are doing 60 miles per hour in rental vehicles coming in and out of the Fort Lauderdale International airport — it’s a nightmare” “There are deficiencies that are currently claiming lives, day in and day out.” Says Mike Arias, a local public roadway safety advocate.
This section of I-95, along with its complex interchanges with I-595 and Marina Mile Boulevard (also known as State Road 84), is the deadliest mile in the United States and has been known as the region’s deadliest crossroads for decades. Despite safety warnings, many motorists continue to exit onto Marina Mile Boulevard at high speeds, but find themselves unprepared to handle the ramp’s sharp 90-degree turn that lies ahead. The state has also planned to add speed warning signs with flashing beacons, speed limit feedback signs, and speed limit pavement messages within the next few years, as part of the interstate’s improvement project.
To put this into context, during the study time period, there were an average of .479 fatal crashes per mile over the entire U.S. primary road system. This stretch of I-95 saw nearly 50 times the number of fatal crashes than the average highway mile. In fact, if you were to drive through it at 60 miles per hour, you would pass the site of a fatal crash every 2.6 seconds.
The study not only analyzes the deadliest single mile, but also mentions the 10 deadliest highway stretches in America. Unfortunately, three of them are located in South Florida between Miami, Hialeah, and Hollywood areas. During the study period, 325 people have lost their lives on these three Florida stretches of road.
