Report: I-10 ranked fourth deadliest highway in US

PHOENIX — One of the most dangerous highways in the United States runs right through Arizona, according to a new report.

Consumer research firm ValuePenguin ranked Interstate 10 fourth on its list of the country’s 50 most dangerous highways. The ranking is based on the number of fatal crashes per 100 miles of road.

I-10 has experienced the most fatal accidents in the United States over the last five years with 1,342. Twenty percent of those accidents have occurred in Arizona, making it the second-deadliest of the eight states along the highway.

Phoenix is the third-deadliest city on the 1-10, according to the report.

Bart Graves, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, cited distracted and fatigued driving as two primary causes for the high rate of fatal accidents within the state.

“People really need to pay close attention when they’re behind the wheel,” he said. “That should be their first priority, what’s on the road in front of you, not the last priority.”

In order to stay safe on the road, Graves said drivers should practice defensive driving and always be aware of changing driving conditions.

“Situations change no matter what part of the I-10 you’re on, whether you’re in the central city with traffic flow or your’re out there on the two-lane highway heading to California,” he said.

A full version of the report can be found here.

KTAR’s Tyler Klaus contributed to this report.