The deadliest intersections in the Southern United States

Intersections can be extremely dangerous areas on our nation's roadways.  This is especially true in the South. From 2004 through 2022, more than 73,000 people were killed in intersection-related crashes in the Southern United States.

While there are a number of factors that can make intersections dangerous, where are motorists killed most often?

The Louisville personal injury attorneys at Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers examined fatal crash records from 2004 through 2022 (the latest full year available) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find out.

Twelve intersections were identified in the South where at least five fatal crashes occurred during the observation period.

Key Findings:

• Nearly 44% of U.S. intersection-related crashes occur in the Southern United States.
• Fatal intersection crashes are much more likely to occur in rural areas in the South, accounting for 47% of such crashes.  This represents the highest percentage of the four major regions in the U.S.
• The deadliest intersection in the South is US-98 and SR-63 in George County, Mississippi.
• Three states had more than one intersection in the top 12: Florida (4), Texas (3), and Mississippi (2).

A Growing Safety Issue in the Southern United States

During the observation period, intersection-related fatal crashes increased by 20% in the Southern region—even as total crashes declined slightly.  This was the second-highest regional increase behind the Western United States.

There could be several reasons for this increase, such as inadequate traffic control signs or signals, a corresponding rise in distracted driving, or impacted or limited visibility at or around the intersection.

The 12 Deadliest Intersections in the South

No intersection in the Southern United States had more fatal crashes and more fatalities than the intersection of US-98 and Old Hwy 63 in George County, Mississippi.  During the observation period, 10 people were killed in eight crashes.

This intersection is one of nine among the deadliest that can be found at the junction of a U.S. highway and a state route.  Only three involved different road types: FM (farm to market) roads in Texas and CR (country route or road).

Read on for an overhead view of this crossing along with the rest of the 12 deadly intersections.

US-98 and SR-63

George County, Mississippi

• Eight fatal crashes
• 10 deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

FM 181 and SR-115 (Kermit Hwy)

Andrews County, Texas

• Seven fatal crashes
• Nine deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

SR-11 and CR-304

Flagler County, Florida

• Seven fatal crashes
• Eight deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-287 and SR-360

Ellis County, Texas

• Seven fatal crashes
• Seven deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

SR-302 and FM 866

Ector County, Texas

• Six fatal crashes
• Seven deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-29 and SR-97

Escambia County, Florida

• Six fatal crashes
• Six deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-72 and SR-7

Benton County, Mississippi

• Six fatal crashes
• Six deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Roundabout
• Intersection Type: Roundabout (Roundabout opened in 2024)

US-25 (White Horse Rd) and SR-183 (Farrs Bridge Rd)

Greenville County, South Carolina

• Six fatal crashes
• Six deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-301 and CR-218

Clay County, Florida

• Five fatal crashes
• Six deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-70 and SR-98

McCurtain County, Oklahoma

• Five fatal crashes
• Six deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Stop Sign
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-331 and SR-20

Walton County, Florida

• Five fatal crashes
• Five deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

US-60 and SR-1967 (Shannon Run Rd)

Woodford County, Kentucky

• Five fatal crashes
• Five deaths
• Traffic Control Device: Traffic Light
• Intersection Type: Four-Way Intersection

Data and Methodology

This study is based on an analysis of fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, for the years 2004 through 2022. Only crashes flagged as 'intersection-related' by the NHTSA were counted.

For the purpose of this analysis, the Southern United States is defined by the Census Bureau as Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.

This story was produced by Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.