There are many areas of Kentucky that are more dangerous than others when it comes to driving. For example, Interstate 264 in Louisville has more collisions than any other in the city limits, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Other roads are problematic too, such as Kentucky Highway 44, which runs through Bullitt County.
What makes these roads dangerous is not only factors like how they are rural roads or two-lane roads with narrow lanes. The truth is that they’re dangerous because of the traffic that has to pass through the area being too great for the space on the roadway. For example, Kentucky Highway 44 is narrow, but it’s the large amount of traffic that has to use the highway that makes it so dangerous. Between 2013 and 2015, that road was the scene of 6,830 accidents.
What other roadways are dangerous in Kentucky?
Some of the other dangerous roads include Interstate 71 in Oldham County, with 2,800 crashes between 2013 and 2015. Jefferson County’s I-264 had over 19,000 crashes. U.S. Highway 60, which runs through Shelby County, was the site of over 4,700 collisions.
What can be done to reduce the likelihood of crashes on these highways?
One of the things that people would like to see is for the roadways to be widened. Adding another lane, for example, can reduce congestion and improve flow, which reduces the likelihood of collisions. Adding guardrails is another possible solution, so that vehicles don’t go off the road or roll down hills as a result of a collision.
With your own vehicle, you can reduce the likelihood of a crash by attempting to stay off the roads during busy times. For example, avoid driving during rush hour, when the traffic load is the highest. It’s also a good idea to take alternative routes instead of main roads, especially if traffic is heavy or if there has been a crash. If traffic is heavy, you’re at a higher risk of a collision due to the stop-and-go traffic that you may not be able to avoid.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, too. Doing this reduces your stress levels and allows you to be more focused on what you’re doing instead of the time or your speed. With these precautions, you can protect yourself and others when you go out, even if you have to travel on one of these dangerous roadways.
