May 17, 2024
Commuting down the same road day after day, we all occasionally wish we had a more interesting route to take. So, why don’t we look at a few of the world’s most dangerous roads? Some can be so scary that just reading about them is enough excitement for most.
Each road has unique challenges, and many factors can make some roads more treacherous than others. The world’s most dangerous roads are usually created by different conditions that make for particularly challenging drives.
Here are a few common things that can make a road dangerous:
So, is there one more dangerous road than all the rest?
The North Yungas Road in Bolivia is often called the most dangerous road in the world. It’s even nicknamed “Death Road”. But, there’s a contender — the Killar to Pangi Road via Kishtwar in India, which some people claim is an even deadlier road. Let’s take a closer look.
Camino de la Muerte, or Death Road, is a 64 km gravel dirt highway that connects the Andean city of La Paz to the Yungas valleys.
The North Yungas Road was built in the 1930s by Bolivian prisoners and is often regarded as the world’s most dangerous road because of the number of fatal accidents that have taken place here.
You’ll see many crosses on the side of this scary mountain road, marking spots where vehicles have fallen.
Some parts of the highway are only 3 metres wide, and traffic comes from both sides. There are many blind corners and sharp turns with hardly any barriers or guardrails. In some places, waterfalls splash down onto the road surface.
And if that wasn’t enough, visibility is often reduced to near 0 by year-round fog and dust from vehicles in the summer. During winter, frequent rain can wash away parts of the road, cause mudslides, and loosen rocks from the hillsides above.
There’s some good news, though. With the construction of a new bypass opened in 2006, people are no longer forced to travel down Death Road — unless they want to. Many thrill-seekers find their way to Camino de la Muerte every year, which has now become a cyclist attraction.
The Killar to Pangi Road is 114km long and runs along the Chenab River. This road connects the valley of Pangi, located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, with the outer world.
During the winter months, this secluded location can be inaccessible when harsh weather conditions make it impossible to travel by road.
Open only in the summer months, this rocky gravel road was built hundreds of years ago by local villagers and hasn’t been repaired in decades.
That sounds like a strong contender for the world’s most dangerous road title, indeed. One stretch of the Killar to Pangi Road is particularly dangerous, with rocky overhangs that seem as though they might fall on the road when you’re driving.
The road is extremely narrow. Drivers occasionally need to drive backwards several kilometres to find a stretch of road wide enough for a pass.
There are no guardrails, and the road is pretty unstable, so a single wrong move could see your car fall hundreds of metres down a vertical cliff.
You can check out more pictures here. Meanwhile, we’ll continue with more dangerous roads from across the world.
Many of the deadliest roads in the world are located in remote locations and have extremely challenging conditions. Here are some of the scariest roads in the world that most people avoid, yet some seek out the spectacular views or adrenaline-filled experiences they offer.
Built in 1947, the Zoji La Pass was initially used for military purposes. Located around 3,528 metres above sea level, the pass is an essential link between the Ladakh and Kashmir regions, connecting the towns of Leh and Srinagar.
This notorious dirt road boasts gorgeous views and deadly drops. In winter, the pass is closed most of the time due to heavy snowfall, making the road impassable.
Driving on this scary road in the warmer months is still extremely dangerous. You’ll find no guardrails on this narrow mountain road, and landslides are a continuous problem.
Drivers risk getting stranded at high elevations or plummeting hundreds of feet into the valley below. Thankfully, Zoji La Pass is just 9 kilometres long.
Locals will be happy they won’t have to take this dangerous road after 2030. The Zoji La tunnel should be completed by then, cutting travel time from 4 hours to just 15 minutes.
This famous road is located in northwest Henan, China, and is often referred to as “the road that does not tolerate any mistakes”.
Guoliang Tunnel was built in the 1970s by 13 villagers after the government refused to fund a road connecting the village to the rest of the country. It took the locals 5 years to finish the road, and several of them died during the construction.
The tunnel is just 1.2 kilometres long and 4 metres wide, requiring you to be laser-focused when driving through it. There are 30 large ‘windows’ or openings on the side of the tunnel and no guardrails.
And, because the road was built on the path of least resistance, it has jarring twists and turns. As a driver, you may have to adjust to these sudden changes quickly. Guoliang Tunnel is most dangerous when it rains and the road becomes slippery.
Nicknamed “The Road of Bones”, this highway winds through the desolate landscape of Siberia and was built in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. It’s alleged that about 250,000–1,000,000 imprisoned labourers who died during the construction of the road are buried beneath and around this highway.
Motorists attempting this dangerous road can end up stranded with no help in sight. In winter, temperatures can drop below -40°C, making for a fatal combination.
The road has been made safer in recent years, but a section known as the Old Summer Road remains an attraction for adventurers. Parts of it are in disrepair with washed-out bridges, and during summer, sections of the road are flooded completely.
In winter, people use the frozen rivers as ice roads, but now and then, cars end up falling through the ice when it’s too thin.
Taroko Gorge is located in Hualien County, Taiwan. It attracts visitors with breathtaking views of its beautiful canyons. The road is paved and even has guardrails, but it’s narrow and winding.
Besides cars, you’ll also come across scooters, pedestrians, cars, and gigantic tour buses here. They all try to make their way through the narrow road, adding to the challenge.
There are many cliffside hairpin turns, smaller rockfalls, and dozens of single-lane tunnels. The tunnels are unlit, and only one large vehicle can pass at a time.
During typhoon season, the rains dislodge debris that falls on the road and causes landslides. And if that isn’t scary enough, the walls of the nearby gorge can fail when there’s seismic activity.
Now, let’s shift our focus to America and look at 5 dangerous highways there.
The most dangerous roads in America tend to be highways. It’s not hard to see why — high speeds make fatal accidents much more likely. Without further ado, here are some of the most dangerous roads in the US.
US Route 285 is 1,362 km long and runs through Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. It’s known as one of the deadliest highways in the States.
A stretch of Route 285 near Malaga, New Mexico, has even been nicknamed “Death Highway” by locals.
The US-285 was built in 1926 for rural traffic. But, it later became heavily used for oil transport, making the road less safe.
It’s no wonder that drivers fear travelling down this dangerous highway, which was revealed to have the highest number of deaths per mile. The study used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
There are a number of problems with Interstate 285, which is located in Georgia and encircles the city of Atlanta. This 102.97 km long road has been designed in an unfortunate way, which increases the likelihood of accidents.
In addition, many trucks use this road. Add to that visiting motorists unfamiliar with the tricky road, and you end up with one of the deadliest highways in the country.
Interstate 95 is the deadliest highway in South Carolina and a top contender for the deadliest highway in the U.S. In 2019, there was an average of 14.99 fatalities per 100 miles on the I-95, which is 3,096 km long and the main north-south Interstate Highway on the East Coast.
According to an earlier study, a section of the I-95 near Fort Lauderdale can claim the “deadliest mile” title in the United States. From 2000 to 2019, this one-mile stretch of road had 50 times the number of fatal car crashes versus the average highway mile.
What makes this one of the most dangerous highways in America? During winter, there’s frequent heavy rain and snow in the northern states. With so much road to cover, staying on top of it all can be challenging, and parts of the highway can be unsafe for driving.
Because this is such a large highway, many sections have very little police presence — or none at all. Sadly, this means more reckless and negligent drivers, leading to areas like the “deadliest mile” mentioned earlier.
One of the most feared stretches of road in the United States is the Death Valley National Park section of California Highway 190. Death Valley can have extremely high temperatures, especially in the summer. And, in such a remote location, any breakdowns can potentially turn dangerous.
Also known as the “Million Dollar Highway” for its breathtaking views, this 25-mile stretch of highway runs from Ouray to Silverton in southwestern Colorado.
This road has fewer fatalities than other big highways, but it’s a terrifying road to travel and has a second nickname — “Highway to Hell”.
The most terrifying part of the road is located at the Red Mountain Pass, where you drive along the cliff’s edge without any guardrails.
Now that we’ve explored the most dangerous roads in the world, we must remind ourselves that any road can become hazardous if our driving style isn’t safe. So here are some tips for making sure you stay safe while driving.
Here are a few safety tips to help you stay safe when travelling in challenging conditions.
According to research, using a handheld device during driving can increase your crash risk by 2.5 times. To stay safe, keep your attention on the road and your driving. Don’t use your phone or multitask!
Before starting your journey, make sure you’ve planned out your stops. These could be breaks to eat, rest, or take necessary phone calls. Pulling over takes a few minutes and makes your drive much safer.
Also, remember to check weather and road conditions before you head out so you know what to expect.
Did you know that drowsy driving contributes to 21% of fatal crashes? When you’re feeling sleepy, avoid the temptation to keep going. Pull over and get some rest before continuing your journey.
Drive at the allowed speed limit and slow down when necessary. This could be when weather conditions are challenging, the road conditions aren’t optimal, or visibility is low (including at night).
It’s great if you already drive at the appropriate speed, but there are other elements of defensive driving you can use to make yourself and everyone else on the road safer.
If you’re heading out for a more adventurous journey, make sure your chosen road matches your skill level.
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Moreover, all Bolt Drive cars are new, equipped with the latest safety features, and fitted with all-season tyres — ideal for milder climates with light snowfall but still safe for harsher ones.
Bolt Drive rental cars have insurance that offers added peace of mind on ice-covered roads with unpredictable weather.
With Bolt Drive, the final price is always final and includes parking fees, fuel, and insurance.
Drive safe and stay safe!
