The Most Dangerous Roads and Highways in Oklahoma

By Car Accident Help on June 7, 2023 | Posted in: Uncategorized

As the largest state capitol and the eighth-largest city in the United States by land area, it’s not a secret that Oklahoma City has a lot of roads and highways. But even more than Oklahoma City itself, the entire state has nearly 250,000 roadway miles and 30,000 lane miles of highway. Because of Oklahoma’s vast roadway system, there is a high accident incident rate for the state. Many of Oklahoma’s roads can be dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. 

Most Dangerous Highways in Oklahoma 

In 2020 in Oklahoma there were over 61,000 crashes and more than 650 fatality accidents on Oklahoma roads. One study showed that between 2018 and 2020, most fatal accidents in Oklahoma occurred on highways. 

State Highway 9 

State Highway 9 is one of the country’s most dangerous stretches of highway. The highway, which runs east and west across the middle of the state, is just south of Oklahoma City and crosses Cleveland County. The largest number of fatalities on this highway occur in Cleveland County – home to Norman, Noble, and parts of Moore. 

Interstate 240 

I-240 is a 16-mile stretch of highway that runs through the southern part of Oklahoma City from I-40 to 1-44. This highway is a main thoroughfare for the city as it connects three main highways (I-40, I-35, and I-44) and creates a connection between Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport and Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. The highway is also a major commuter route for residents into and out of the city. Annually, I-240 is the location of dozens of accidents and occasional fatalities. The section between I-44 and I-35 is particularly treacherous. 

Interstate 40

I-40 divides the state east to west, running 331 miles. This highway runs from Texola, Oklahoma all the way to Fort Smith. Weatherford, Elk City, Oklahoma City, Shawnee, and Henryetta are cities along its path. In 2020, many serious and fatality accidents happened on this interstate. The stretch of highway from Elk City to just east of Weatherford saw many accidents. Additionally, within Oklahoma City limits, I-40 near the intersections of I-44 and I-35 were prone to car accidents. 

Turner Turnpike/I-44 

Across Oklahoma diagonally from Missouri down to the border of Texas runs I-44. This highway connects Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, and many additional cities along the way. This stretch of roadway is used widely for travel across the state. Between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, I-44 is designated as the Turner Turnpike. The Turner Turnpike is the state’s oldest turnpike and is the primary route for traveling between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The turnpike has a speed limit of 75 miles per hour for much of its length. Due to the high-speed limit, consistently, there are injury accidents along the Turner Turnpike.  

Interstate 35 

Running north to south through the state’s center, I-35 connects Kansas and Texas through Oklahoma. I-35 is a major trucking route connecting many of Oklahoma’s major cities and towns, including Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, and others. I-35 is used daily by commuters from Oklahoma City’s suburbs, and rush-hour traffic and accidents are expected along I-35 daily. I-35 also intersects with I-44 and I-240; both interchanges have high incident rates for injury and fatality accidents. 

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in an accident along one of Oklahoma’s many dangerous highways. Our team is here to help. We would love to learn more about your accident and provide a free consultation. Please contact the experienced car accident attorneys from Car Accident Help in Oklahoma City today. 

Worst Intersections in Oklahoma City 

Not only are the highways in Oklahoma dangerous, city streets are often the location of car wrecks as well. The following intersections in Oklahoma City were the locations of many accidents in 2020. Several of these intersections were the locale of multiple fatality crashes. 

• Reno and S. Klein 
• Oklahoma City Blvd. and S. Klein 
• Sheridan and S. Klein 
• W. Memorial Rd. and Pennsylvania Ave. 
• S. Western Ave. and SW 62nd 
• S. Western Ave. and SW 59th
• I-240 and US 77 
• I-40 and I-44
• MLK and I-44
• Northwest Expressway and Rockwell 

Causes of Accidents in Oklahoma 

Now that you know which Oklahoma highways and roads are most dangerous, you should also be mindful of what causes these accidents daily. Across the state of Oklahoma, distracted driving, speeding or reckless driving, and impaired driving are among the most common causes of automobile accidents. 

• Distracted Driving – The United States Department of Transportation describes distracted driving as “anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” This might include texting and driving, eating and drinking, chatting with the passengers in your car or someone on the phone, passing a snack to your child in the back seat, or typing an address into Google Maps. Any one of these things can divert your attention long enough to cause an accident. If you’re not giving 100% of your attention to the task of driving your vehicle, you are distracted while driving. 
• Speeding – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2020, speeding killed 11,258 people and was responsible for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. Speeding endangers all those who are near the speeder – other drivers, passengers, the driver, pedestrians, law enforcement, and cyclists. Speeding through one of Oklahoma City’s busy intersections could mean life or death for those on the road. 
• Impaired or Drunk Driving – Drug-impaired and drunk driving are also prevalent causes of car wrecks in Oklahoma. National data showed ​​in 2021 that 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths – a 14% increase from 2020. Additionally, drug-impaired driving puts Oklahomans at risk every day. Legal and illegal drugs can cause impairment and put others in harm’s way. It’s illegal to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol. 

If you have been involved in a car accident in Oklahoma, it’s essential to learn about your legal rights, how to protect yourself, and how to seek the compensation that could be owed to you. When you contact the team at Car Accident Help at (405) 285-4357, we can help you schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma car accident attorney. With decades of experience, we’re ready to help.