Posted on March 17th, 2025 by Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana
Every state has one or more dangerous roads on which an elevated number of traffic accidents happen. For Alabama, that road is Route 431, the infamous “Highway to Hell.” However, Route 431 is by no means the only dangerous road in the state. Other interstates and highways can also pose a danger to motorists, especially when practices like distracted driving enter the picture.
On the other hand, a number of Alabama roads have a reputation for safe travel. There are routes in the state that see few, if any, fatality or injury accidents from year to year. Taken together, knowing the most dangerous and safest highways can help you make a more informed choice as to what route to take the next time you must travel across the Yellowhammer State.
Alabama Traffic Safety Statistics
While Alabama is not the worst state in the nation when it comes to traffic safety, there are still a concerning number of traffic accidents that happen every year within its borders. For example, in 2022, Alabama saw:
- 144,263 traffic crashes, or one every three minutes
- 37,935 people injured, which is approximately one person every 14 minutes
- 986 people killed, or about one person every nine hours
- 112 pedestrian fatalities and 14 bicyclist fatalities.
Drivers in Alabama have a two in five chance of being involved in a fatal or injury crash at some point in their lives. This chance rises to greater than 90% if one includes all types of traffic accidents.
Route 431: The “Highway to Hell”
Alabama’s Most Dangerous Road
Route 431 spans approximately 550 miles, from near Dothan, Alabama, to Owensboro, Kentucky. Along the way, it runs through or near Huntsville, Alabama, as well as the cities of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. As it winds through Alabama, Route 431 intersects with several major highways, including U.S. 84, U.S. 80, and Interstates 85 and 20.
In 2022 alone, 25 fatal crashes occurred along Route 431. Considering its approximate 350-mile length in Alabama, this means one fatal crash occurred every 14 miles. While traveling along Route 431, the risk of a fatality crash generally increases as you approach major population centers like Huntsville and Phenix City.
Keep in mind that this number does not consider the many more injury and property-only crashes that happened along Route 431.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an Alabama traffic accident, call Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana at (251) 444-7000 to explore your legal options.
What Makes Route 431 So Dangerous for Motorists?
Perhaps no single feature makes Route 431, or any other road, more dangerous than others. Instead, it is a combination of factors that collectively contribute to a route’s safety. Some of these hazardous road features include:
- Curves and hills that impair a driver’s ability to see others
- The number of lanes suddenly increasing or decreasing
- Large volume of traffic, especially if there are not enough traffic lanes to safely accommodate that volume
- Inadequate signage to alert drivers of changes in the road or dangers
- Poorly maintained road surfaces.
These features are found on roads besides Route 431. Other similar highways and interstates in Alabama include Interstate 65, Interstate 50, and U.S. 78.
Some highways are dangerously designed, while others can become hazardous due to weather and traffic conditions, as well as the actions of drivers.
Where Are Alabama’s Safest Roads?
Every road has the potential to serve as the location of an injury or fatal crash. While some lightly used streets may not have seen any wrecks in 2022, this does not mean they are completely safe. Drivers must always couple smart route planning with responsible driving behaviors to maximize their safety and minimize their risk of harm.
Nonetheless, Perry County, in west-central Alabama, saw the fewest total crashes of any county in the state in 2022. That year, 42 crashes occurred at intersections in Perry County, and another 64 happened away from intersections. Thus, the total number of crashes of any type in Perry County that year was 106. This represented only 0.07% of the state’s accident total.
Driver Behaviors That Can Make a Road Unsafe
It is not just road design and features that contribute to a road’s danger. Driving behaviors can also greatly impact how safe any road is to travel. A few examples of dangerous driving behaviors include:
Speeding
Speeding includes exceeding the posted speed limit for a particular road and driving too fast under the prevailing road conditions. When a driver speeds, it is more difficult for that driver to safely maneuver and control their vehicle. A car or truck can also inflict greater harm in a collision the faster it is traveling.
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver is not paying full attention to the road or may be trying to perform other tasks while driving. Checking a cell phone, trying to eat while driving, or applying makeup behind the wheel all increase the time it takes for that driver to see a hazard and safely avoid it. They may not have time to slow down before a crash, increasing the chance of a severe wreck.
Impaired Driving
Illegal drugs, prescription medications, and alcohol can all impair a driver’s faculties. They may not be able to see other cars or people on the road or know what action they should take. Even if an impaired driver does perceive a danger, intoxicating and impairing substances can increase the amount of time it takes the driver to react appropriately.
Injured in an Alabama Crash? Contact Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana
No matter which road you experience a car accident on in Alabama, you can face mounting medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial and nonfinancial losses. The experienced team at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana can help you determine your best legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait to pursue the compensation you’re owed after a car crash. Call Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana at (251) 444-7000 today for help filing an insurance claim and seeking damages if you’ve been hurt in an Alabama car wreck.