US 41. From Chicago to Evansville, it runs 300 miles. Maybe you’ve driven it. But you may not know that US 41 is the deadliest road in Indiana. It is also the 25th deadliest road in the United States.
Every year more than 30,000 people are killed in crashes across the United States. In the Hoosier State, about 10 people are killed every year on Hwy. 41.
According to research from driving data company Geotab, Indiana saw 111 deaths on the road between 2008 and 2017. Data was collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Law enforcement officials have said this is due to large volumes of traffic and many intersections along Highway 41. One official remarked, “That’s just ripe for an accident.”
Aggressive drivers play a big factor in making roads more dangerous. Speeding and tailgating is not safe, especially when roads are wet. Coupled with the high incidence of texting and driving, talking on cell phones and construction, there are many factors that play into the dangers of this highway.
“People tend to speed more on the US Route 41 because it’s kind of more rural in certain areas. However, when you’ve got traffic coming from both the east and the west on both sides of you, sometimes they don’t pick up on that and therefore we have accidents,” said Indiana State Police Sergeant Matt Ames. “That why it’s so important to follow the speed limit and watch out for other drivers.”
For the record, US 45, which runs the length of the state from Wisconsin to Kentucky, is the longest numbered route in Illinois. On average, more than 11 people die on that highway each year.
Kentucky’s deadliest road is US 62 which runs east to west across the state.
Indiana State Police want to remind drivers to always be aware of your surroundings and other drivers on the roadways.
The attorneys at Tauber Law Offices have seen too many tragedies on streets and highways. Sadly, there are now even more due to the preponderance of texting and driving. If you or a loved one has been a victim of an at-fault driver of a car or big truck, contact us immediately. If we determine you have a case, we will represent you aggressively until you get the justice you deserve. There is never a charge for the initial consultation.
Sources include Indiana State Police; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
