A new study has unveiled startling findings about road safety in Florida, revealing that state highways are the most dangerous roads for drivers, surpassing even interstates in terms of fatal crashes. The study, conducted by iSelect and analyzing 16,000 crashes over a five-year period, sheds light on the locations where the highest percentage of fatal crashes occur in the Sunshine State.

According to the data, 39% of fatal crashes took place on state highways, far outpacing the 13% on interstates like I-75. U.S. highways followed closely with 30%, while local streets accounted for 17%. The report highlights that while interstates might feel safer due to their design and speed limits, state highways pose a significant risk to motorists across Florida.

The study also identifies specific roads that have proven to be especially dangerous. U.S. 1 topped the list with 589 fatal crashes, followed by Interstate 95 with 490, and U.S. 41 in Southwest Florida with 447 fatal crashes. These roads are well-traveled by locals and tourists alike, making the results all the more alarming.

When compared to national trends, the study’s findings mirror those seen across the United States. iSelect’s analysis of 129,825 fatal crashes nationwide found that 42% occurred on state highways, 23% on U.S. highways, 18% on interstates, and 17% on local streets.

This study used data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a comprehensive database maintained by the federal government, to track fatal crashes by state, city, and road type. The findings underscore the importance of increased safety measures and awareness on state highways, as they continue to be hotspots for deadly crashes.