Oklahoma City's Most Dangerous Roads

Dangerous intersections

In a recent year, Oklahoma City saw 1,700 motor vehicle accidents, in which nearly 2,100 people suffered injuries and almost 100 died. Most residents of Oklahoma City can name multiple dangerous roadways and intersections they encounter regularly. People may perceive a road or intersection as dangerous after witnessing or hearing about catastrophic traffic accidents that took place there or after experiencing careless or unsafe driving behaviors by other drivers.

Knowing which of Oklahoma City’s roads and intersections rank as the most dangerous can help you stay safe by recognizing when and where you should exercise greater caution behind the wheel. According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office database, some of the most dangerous intersections and roads for auto accidents are in Oklahoma City.

Dangerous Oklahoma City Roads & Highways

I-40 and I-44 Interchange

The interchange between Interstate 40 and Interstate 44 involves a complex web of on-ramps and off-ramps for the two interstates and nearby highways. However, with many drivers maintaining highway speeds through the interchange, collisions between vehicles entering, exiting, or traveling along I-40 or I-44 frequently occur. The interchange saw almost 30 crashes in one recent year, with seven of those accidents resulting in severe injuries.

Turner Turnpike

The Turner Turnpike serves as the main artery between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which means the road frequently has heavy traffic. The highway also has one of Oklahoma’s highest posted speed limits, at 80 miles per hour.

I-35 and I-240 Interchange

Interstate 240 runs from southeast Oklahoma City to the Will Rogers World Airport, with many residents of OKC using the interstate to get to the airport or from one side of the city to the other while avoiding the downtown core. The interchange between I-240 and I-35 sees heavy traffic as people get on and off each interstate, with the confusing web of ramps frequently causing collisions between multiple vehicles.

Broadway Extension and NW 63rd St.

Broadway Extension and NW 63rd St. sit just north of the Interstate 44/Interstate 235 interchange, meaning the intersection sees considerable traffic getting on and off these busy roads. With the on/off ramps to US Highway 77, the intersection had three crashes in one recent year.

North Pennsylvania Avenue and Northwest Expressway

North Pennsylvania Avenue and Northwest Expressway intersect just west of Interstate 44 and the Penn Square Mall. As a result, the intersection sees heavy traffic from people getting on or off the interstate or traveling to the mall for shopping. Two accidents occurred there in one recent year.

Lake Hefner Parkway

Located in northwest Oklahoma City, Lake Hefner Parkway sees an unusually high number of traffic crashes that cause severe or fatal injuries. The stretch of the parkway at the intersection with the John Kilpatrick Turnpike represents one of the most dangerous portions of the roadway, along with the interchange with Interstate 44 at the southern end of the parkway. The parkway had 15 accidents, including one fatal accident in one recent year.

State Highway 9

State Highway 9 stretches across Oklahoma from the Texas border to the Arkansas border. The portion of the highway running through Oklahoma City poses unique dangers for motorists, as its high traffic speeds and blind curves can lead to collisions.

North MacArthur Boulevard and Reno Avenue

Reno Avenue represents the dividing line between North MacArthur Boulevard and South MacArthur Boulevard. The intersection sits north of on/off ramps for Interstate 44, serving as the center of a busy industrial zone in Oklahoma City. The intersection had five accidents in one recent year, including one accident involving severe injuries and one involving fatalities.

S. Klein Ave. and Oklahoma City Blvd.

The intersection of South Klein Avenue and Oklahoma City Boulevard sits at the west end of Oklahoma City’s downtown core, with Oklahoma City Boulevard running into the downtown area. There was one fatal accident near this intersection in a recent year.

W. Memorial Road and Pennsylvania Ave.

The intersection of West Memorial Road and Pennsylvania Avenue serves as an access point for the John Kilpatrick Turnpike. In addition to handling traffic getting onto the turnpike, the area has multiple shopping centers that attract drivers. In one recent year, the intersection saw nine accidents, one of them involving severe injuries.

SW 59 and S. Western Ave.

Southwest 59th Street and South Western Avenue sit a few miles east of Will Rogers World Airport, with SW 59th St. turning into Southwest 54th Street at Interstate 44 and providing the main access road into the airport. In one recent year, the intersection saw four accidents, two with minor injuries and two with severe injuries.

I-240 and US 77

US Highway 77 joins Interstate 35 a few miles south of the I-35/I-240 interchange. The interchange sits east of Will Rogers World Airport, with airport traffic flowing from the east, north, and south traveling through the interchange. In one recent year, the interchange saw 10 injury-causing accidents and one fatal accident.

Causes of Auto Accidents on These Intersections and Roads

Common causes of car crashes or accidents with other cars, large trucks, and pedestrians in Oklahoma include:

  • High speeds, including speeds exceeding posted limits or speeds unsafe for road, traffic, or weather conditions
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Reckless driving, including excessive speeding or swerving down busy roads
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol
  • Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking blind spots
  • Failing to yield the right of way, including not yielding at marked pedestrian crosswalks
  • Illegal or unsafe turns, passes, or lane changes, including veering across multiple lanes on highways
  • Improper wide turns by commercial trucks
  • Driver inexperience
  • Inadequate vehicle maintenance leading to mechanical failures and a loss of driver control

If you were involved in a car accident on any of the roads above, an experienced OKC car accident attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact an OKC Car Accident Lawyer for Help

When you’ve been injured in a car crash in Oklahoma City due to another motorist’s careless or reckless actions, you deserve financial recovery for your ongoing and future financial and personal losses. Contact Cain Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options for obtaining the financial relief and justice you deserve. We can take your call 24/7 to get started on your

case with a prompt, in-depth investigation. Our attorneys can meet you at home or in the hospital. Our firm can help you get the medical care and rehabilitation services you need to heal. Call us today to get started with your personal injury claim.