California’s Most Dangerous Highways: What’s Really Causing Fatal Crashes?

In 2023, Omega Law Group set out to better understand the real risks facing California drivers. We looked beyond traffic volume to examine where and why the deadliest accidents happen across the Golden State.

And what we found might surprise you: It’s not just the number of people on the road that makes California highways dangerous. It’s the behavior of the drivers behind the wheel.

Every day, people commuting to work, picking up groceries, or heading out for a weekend drive often share the road with others who are speeding, texting, or driving under the influence. These risky choices are putting lives in danger every day.

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A Closer Look at California’s Highways

California is massive—home to over 39 million people and nearly 400,000 miles of roadway. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 4,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes across California in 2023. That’s nearly 10% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S.—a staggering number for one state.

But not all highways are equally dangerous. Some stretches of road see far more fatal crashes than others.

Here are the Top 5 Deadliest Highways in California in 2023:

• I-15 in San Bernardino County – 48 fatalities
• I-10 in Riverside County – 31 fatalities
• I-5 in San Diego County – 21 fatalities
• I-5 in Orange County – 16 fatalities
• US-101 in Santa Barbara County – 15 fatalities

So, what’s causing these deadly crashes?

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The Main Causes of Fatal Accidents

In short: driver behavior. Most of the time, it’s not poor road design or bad weather—it’s people making dangerous choices.

Here’s what the numbers show for 2023:

• Speeding was responsible for 19.7% of fatal crashes
• Texting or distracted driving caused 19%
• Drunk driving led to 17.5%
• Other causes included:
  • Bad road conditions (12.6%)
  • Drug-impaired driving (10.8%)
  • General distracted driving (7.8%)
  • Internal distractions (5.9%)
  • Not wearing seatbelts (5.7%)
  • Other factors (0.8%)

Some counties had even more shocking statistics. Between 2018 and 2022:

County	Speeding	Drunk Driving
San Bernardino	34%	20%
Riverside	31%	26%
San Diego	31%	20%
Orange	34%	23%
Santa Barbara	31%	20%

Most of these crashes happen in the evening—8 p.m. is the peak danger hour, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, according to Consumer Affairs.

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Why Do So Many People Drive Recklessly?

Unfortunately, reckless driving is often a choice. People speed because they’re late or impatient. Others take risks they know are dangerous—like texting behind the wheel or driving home after drinking.

Even with all the data and awareness campaigns, some drivers still ignore the risks. But reckless driving isn’t just bad judgment—it’s a violation of the duty of care every driver owes others on the road.

And when someone’s negligence causes harm, victims have the right to seek compensation. That’s where experienced personal injury attorneys can help.

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How to Protect Yourself on California Roads

You can’t control how others drive, but there are ways to reduce your risk:

• Stick to the speed limit
• Keep your mirrors and windshield clean
• Signal when changing lanes
• Use headlights in low-light conditions
• Leave early so you’re not rushing
• Watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists
• Put your phone away or use Do Not Disturb mode
• Designate a sober driver if you’re drinking

Some restaurants and bars even offer free non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers, so take advantage of that perk and plan ahead.

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Final Thoughts

At Omega Law Group, we want every California driver to make it home safely. By understanding which highways are the most dangerous and the behaviors causing the most harm, we can help reduce the number of preventable crashes on our roads.

Awareness is the first step toward safer highways. The next step? Making better choices behind the wheel.