It may not be the first thing you think about when climbing behind the wheel, but driving a vehicle can be a dangerous activity. Drivers of all ages and levels of experience are prone to causing accidents, whether as a result of negligence, mechanical issues, or some other factor. This fact is as true in Bucks County as it is anywhere else; data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that a significant portion of all car accidents in PA occurs in Bucks County. To better understand the risks involved in driving in this area, the Bucks County car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm have identified some of the area’s most dangerous roads for car accidents. Keep reading to learn more.
Determining the Most Dangerous Roads for Car Accidents in Bucks County
In an average year, there are about 6 million car accidents that take place in the United States. As a result of these accidents, more than 30,000 people die in the U.S. annually. In 2018, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available, the total number of fatalities on U.S. roads was 36,560; fifty-four of these took place in Bucks County.
Though it can be difficult to find data on all Bucks County car accidents broken down road by road, the NHTSA maintains a useful tool that can help determine which roads are the most dangerous in Bucks County: the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS. This system uses a nationwide census to collect and publish yearly data on fatal injuries caused in vehicular crashes, data that includes information on Bucks County roadways specifically.
To try and understand which local thoroughfares pose the greatest threat to motorists, we parsed the data and came up with a list of the deadliest roads for car accidents in Bucks County; this list includes all streets on which more than five people lost their lives between 2016 and 2018. The following are Bucks County’s most dangerous roads for car accidents:
- Pennsylvania Route 132, also known as SR-132 or Street Road, saw 13 fatalities over this three-year period.
- Pennsylvania Route 611, which is also known as SR-611 or Easton Rd., had 10 deaths over these three years.
- U.S. Route 13 – also called US-13, Paper St., Bristol Pike, Beaver St., Haines Rd., or Beaver Dam Rd., depending on the area – saw nine fatalities during this period of time.
- Interstate 95, more commonly called the Delaware Expressway or simply I-95, saw seven deaths over this length of time.
- U.S. Route 1, also called US-1 or Lincoln Highway, had six fatalities over this period.
- Pennsylvania Route 2029, which is also called SR-2029, Bristol Oxford Valley Rd., Oxford Valley Rd., or Bath St., had six accident-related deaths over this period.
Though these six roads represent the most frequent sites of vehicular fatalities, they are by no means the only ones. However, drivers traveling through Bucks County should be especially alert on these roads, and doubly so at the intersection of Street Road (SR-132) and Knights Road in Levittown – the most dangerous intersection in America, according to a study by Time Magazine.
Common Causes of Car Accidents on Bucks County Roads
No matter how many miles behind the wheel someone has accumulated, there is always a chance that they could inadvertently (or, sometimes, even purposefully) cause an accident, whether on a Bucks County street or elsewhere. In some cases, these causes may be impossible to prevent, but in many of them, there is a person at fault for the accident. Below are some of the most common causes of car accidents on Bucks County’s roads.
Distracted Driving
In the age of smartphones and other mobile devices, most drivers have some type of technological distraction on their person or in their vehicle. Any one of these devices could cause a person to stop paying attention to their driving or the road in front of them, whether to answer a text, check a tweet, call a friend, or find a song to listen to. Additionally, drivers often find themselves distracted performing activities that are far from important, such as applying makeup, eating, or adjusting the radio, any one of which could lead to a distracted driving car accident.
Speeding
Nowadays, it seems like everyone has somewhere to be, and no one wants to take their time getting there. The result of this increased urgency is a greater propensity for speeding, a common practice on roadways large and small. Motorists often try to push as far past the speed limit as they can without getting caught; for some drivers, this could mean speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, at which point a person can quickly lose control of their vehicle and cause a car accident from speeding.
Road Rage
Most of us think of cars as tools for transporting ourselves, our possessions, and our loved ones, so it’s easy to forget that cars are also massive hunks of metal traveling at incredible speeds. From this perspective, it’s clear how an angry, frustrated driver can do a lot of damage to those around them, whether out of a desire for revenge over some perceived slight or to simply vent their frustration at those unlucky enough to be nearby. Either way, road rage accidents are common and an entirely preventable as well. If you are injured by a dangerous road rage driver you should seek a car accident injury lawyer immediately.
Bucks County Car Accident Attorneys Offering Free Consultations
Bucks County motorists are hardly immune to the dangers of driving, and many people in the area have suffered a loss as the result of a traumatic car accident. Our fatal car accident lawyers are here to help. In a situation like this, it’s important to have someone at your side who can stand up for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident, the Bucks County personal injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm can help. Visit us online or call (215) 709-6940 today and schedule a free and private consultation.
