Deadly Roadways and Crash-Prone Intersections in Houston and Sugar Land
The Houston metroplex has some of the most congested roads in America. From The Woodlands to Sugar Land to Baytown, the area is home to millions of people, the 2nd largest port in the country, and some of the most dangerous roads in Texas. Thousands of people are injured or killed on these roadways each year.
At The Karam Law Office, we provide dedicated representation for individuals who have been injured in car accidents. Our lawyers have recovered millions on behalf of accident and injury victims in Sugar Land and throughout the state. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact our office at (832) 859-8453 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
I-45: The Most Dangerous Highway in the U.S.
It is no surprise to Texans that Houston roadways are treacherous, but one highway has recently taken the title of Most Dangerous Highway in the U.S. As reported by Houstonia, I-45 took the title after averaging “56.5 fatal accidents for every 100 miles.” Houston’s stretch of I-45 is particularly dangerous, accounting for the most fatalities in 2019.
There are several contributing factors that make the road deadly, including congestion, reckless driving, and faulty infrastructure. The freeway has no access ramps and is not divided by medians or concrete barriers. It also has no sidewalks along its length from downtown to Galveston Bay.
I-45 Expansion & Construction Project
A planned expansion of the I-45 highway called the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) has met several delays, namely a federal lawsuit filed by Harris County in March 2021 against the Texas Department of Transportation to stop construction on new lanes. In August 2022, Governor Abbott announced a $85 billion statewide plan to improve Texas roadways, which included a large amount of funding for the I-45 expansion project, which has resumed work.
A segment of the project costing $208.7 million is slated to be finished in 2023. According to Texas Contractor, this segment aims to accomplish the following:
- "Widen I‐45 from four to six lanes
- Replace existing pavement with concrete pavement
- Increase vertical clearance at main lane bridges to 19 feet
- Provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities along the urban areas of the frontage roads
- Improve drainage structures and interchanges
- Add collector‐distributor roads, which parallel and connect the main travel lanes and frontage roads or entrance ramps"
The final stage of construction is projected to be finished in 2026, which will include the addition of a new interchange at "westbound SH 75 near San Jacinto Street (west of I-45) and Moffett Springs Road (east of I-45)" and another "north of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice headquarters."
Dangerous Houston Roads & Highways
A study by the Houston Chronicle found that Houston area roadways are some of the deadliest and most dangerous in the nation. On average, 640 people are killed on Houston roadways, and over 2,800 are seriously injured. The area leads the nation for fatal crashes involving drugs and alcohol and ranks second for fatal traffic accidents involving speed.
Dangerous highways and roadways in the Houston - Sugar Land area include:
- Interstate 45 (I-45)
- Interstate 10 (I-10)
- Interstate 610 (I-610/610 Loop)
- U.S. Route 59
- Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway)
- Highway 6 (SH-6)
- Highway 225
- US-90A
- State Highway 99 (SH-99)
Many car accidents are entirely preventable, involving operator error, inattention, or wrongdoing. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to get to safety as quickly as possible. Check for injuries and call 9-1-1 immediately after the crash.
Even if you do not believe that you were seriously hurt, you should still be evaluated by a doctor. Injuries may not be apparent for hours to days after the accident because of the sudden, unexpected impact.
Dangerous Intersections in Sugar Land
In the 2020 Sugar Land State of Mobility report, the city conducted a crash analysis of all of the traffic accidents that occurred over a 5-year period. The study showed that nearly half of all Sugar Land crashes happened at intersections or were intersection-related.
Dangerous intersections in the Sugar Land area include:
- IH-69 at SH-6
- SH-6 at US-90A
- Crabb River Rd at SH-99
- IH-69 at US-90A
- First Colony Blvd at IH-69
- Williams Trace Blvd at SH-6
- Voss Rd at SH-6
- University Blvd at IH-69
In total, there were 9,975 crashes on Sugar Land roadways over the course of 5 years. Over 900 of those accidents occurred on the main lanes of IH-69 and SH-99. Of the total crashes, 47% happened at or near intersections.
Unsafe Intersections for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
In addition to motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians and bicyclists are at a high risk of injury or death at intersections throughout the city.
Some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists include:
- Dulles Ave near Dulles High, Middle and Elementary schools
- SH-6 at Settlers Way Blvd
- Settlers Way Blvd at Austin Pkwy
- Commonwealth Blvd at Elkins Rd
- SH-99 at IH-69
- Airport Blvd at Burney Rd
- SH-6 near Voss Rd
Research shows that many of the crashes at intersections are caused by speeding, unsafe lane change, and a failure to obey traffic signals or stop signs.
Is Houston a Dangerous Place to Drive?
In the end, Houston area roadways are some of the deadliest and most dangerous in the nation. Houston has the most traffic congestion in the state and ranks third in the nation for worst traffic. However, new construction on Interstate 45 could improve traffic conditions by reducing congestion on this major thoroughfare between Dallas and Houston.
Advocating for Wrongfully Injured
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Houston, you should contact the Karam Law office for a free consultation. Attorney Jacob Karam is an award-winning personal injury lawyer who has secured multiple 7-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients who were wrongfully injured. Call today at (832) 859-8453 to get started.
