However, there are other roads you know you need to be extremely cautious on. When it comes to Connecticut roadways, the following are considered some of the most dangerous:
For Pedestrians
Based on a 2015 Tri-State Transportation Campaign report, 99 pedestrians were killed on state roads from 2011 to 2013, which is down from 111 in the 2010 to 2012 period.
For individuals walking alongside roadways, the most dangerous was Route 1, which earned this distinction for the seventh year in a row. In the 2011 to 2013 period, nine pedestrians were killed on this route.
According to the report, Route 1 suffers from such issues as no sidewalks and crosswalks that aren’t located near traffic lights. Additionally, snow banks obscure pedestrians’ views of traffic and make it harder for drivers to see those walking alongside the road.
Coming in after Route 1, Route 44 experienced four pedestrian deaths over the same time period.
For Drivers
According to statistics from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the worst roads for drivers are:
- Route 85: Through Waterford, Montville and Salem
- Route 6: Through Bolton, Andover, Columbia and Coventry
- Route 66: Through Middlefield, Middletown, Portland and East Hampton
- Route 191: In East Windsor and Enfield
- Route 83: Through Glastonbury, Manchester, Vernon, Ellington and Somers
- Route 10: Through Avon, Cheshire, Farmington, Granby, Hamden, Plainville, Simsbury and Southington
Most of these are considered rural or back roads. Based on data concerning Connecticut’s traffic fatalities, these thoroughfares accounted for just 10 percent of all state traffic, but saw 40 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2013.
In fact, 3.6 fatalities per 1 million miles occur on Connecticut’s rural roads, making them some of the deadliest in the nation.
Based on a report from Washington, D.C. nonprofit organization TRIP, 25 percent of the rural pavement in Connecticut is in poor condition. Other factors contribute to the increasing number of traffic fatalities:
- Lack of safety features
- Longer emergency vehicle response time
- Drivers traveling at higher speeds
- Roads designed with narrow lanes, limited shoulder area, sharp curves, steep slopes and pavement drop-offs
- Some roads were designed 300 years ago, originally for carts and buggies, instead of cars.
While you can practice safe driving habits and avoid certain roads, car accidents can still occur. And, if yours involves more significant damage, it can further result in haggling with an insurance company for fair compensation. If you find yourself in this situation, turn to Trantolo & Trantolo’s lawyers for help. To speak with one of our attorneys, contact any of our locations today.
