Plans are underway to reduce crashes on these deadly roads in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
Driving on the roads of Northeast Ohio, especially in high-traffic Cleveland, can be a stressful experience. In 2021, Northeast Ohio had the highest number of fatal car accidents in the 18-county area in 15 years, according to NHTSA data.
The region is no stranger to serious injury-causing car accidents, as well. Now, some roads have earned a notorious reputation for being particularly hazardous.
A recent study identified the most dangerous roads in the state. In Northeast Ohio, roads with the highest number of fatal and serious accident-causing car accidents include I-90, I-75, I-71, and US-20, according to Fox 8 News.
Off the highway, local roads have also been identified as accident-prone areas due to the high number of severe and fatal car accidents that happen there. Possibly the most deadly and dangerous roads in Northeast Ohio are:
- St. Clare Avenue in Cleveland
- Arlington Street in Akron
Most dangerous roads in Northeast Ohio
Several factors contribute to the high rate of car accidents on these roads. Distracted driving, including texting or talking on the phone while driving, has been a stubborn problem. Speeding and aggressive driving, such as tailgating and improper lane changes, also contribute to the dangerous conditions.
In Cuyahoga County, the leading causes of deadly crashes include operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI), speeding, and failure to yield/ran a red light or stop sign, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol data from 2018 to the present. Troopers also noted that these accidents were made more severe by people not wearing safety belts. About 60% of fatal crashes in Northeast Ohio involved people who were not buckled up.
Here are other roads that researchers say are among the most dangerous in Northeastern Ohio:
- Ashtabula County: County Road 150, Jefferson Road
- Lorain County: County Road 51, Baumhart Road
- Stark County: County Road 66, Cleveland Avenue
- Trumbull County: County Road 329, East Market Street
- Tuscarawas County: County Road 14, River Hill Road
- Wayne Township: County Road 6, Friendsville Road
- Youngstown: County Road 512, Salt Springs R0ad
Ohio’s plans for safer roadways
State and local authorities and transportation agencies have taken a varied approach to tackling Ohio’s dangerous roads. Recent action includes new legislation, promoting awareness and good driving habits, and infrastructure renovations. In June, the state approved a second round of infrastructure grants – a $54 million windfall for roadway safety upgrades in 30 Ohio counties. The roadway improvements are aimed at decreasing fatal pedestrian and road departure accidents – two types of crashes that have skyrocketed here in recent years.
Safety projects to prevent pedestrian fatalities include high-visibility crossings, advanced yield markings, improved lighting, traffic calming mechanisms, and pedestrian-activated signals near schools. Safety projects to combat roadway departure crashes involve widening shoulders, flattening slopes, removing deep ditches, and installing rumble stripes, especially on high-speed rural roads.
Ohio also recently passed a stricter distracted driving law, made fixing the 150 most dangerous intersections in the state a priority, launched the “Ready, Test, Drive!” virtual driver assessment program, created the Ohio Traffic Safety Council, developed a new work zone traffic enforcement plan, and established a juvenile court program that gives young drivers more access to advanced driver training.
What to do if you are injured in a Cleveland car accident
Even with safety measures, accidents still happen. Road conditions and the behavior of other drivers are beyond the control of others. If you were injured or a loved one died in a Northeastern Ohio car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact the experienced Cleveland car accident attorneys at Merriman Legal, LLC for a free case consultation. A member of our team can listen to the details of what happened, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next. A statute of limitations applies to Ohio car accidents, so don’t wait to reach out. We are available to hear from you any time, day or night.
