Between 2018 and 2020, 4,017 motor vehicle accidents in North Carolina resulted in deaths. MoneyGeek analyzed these crashes and 2,395 roads out of the state’s 229,011 miles of road to find the deadliest stretches of road in North Carolina.
Our study also explored the different factors that contributed to fatal crashes in the state. Some of these factors involved driver behaviors, such as drunk driving, speeding and distracted driving. Others were connected to environmental factors, like the weather and time of year. MoneyGeek’s analysis breaks down data for each county in North Carolina and highlights the deadliest roads in each.
Key Findings
- Cliffdale Rd. from Beverly Dr. to Lansdowne Rd. in Fayetteville is the deadliest stretch of road in North Carolina. Between 2018–2020, 10 fatal accidents occurred here.
- Speeding and drunk driving were the most common factors involved in deadly crashes. Speeding contributed to 25.4% of accidents, and drunk driving was involved in 23.4%.
- Distracted driving rates are on the rise. While distracted driving was a factor in just 7.1% of fatal accidents, MoneyGeek’s distracted driving study found that North Carolina had one of the most significant increases in rates of distracted driving of any state from 2019 to 2020.
- There were 409 fatal accidents in June, the highest of any month. May and September had the next-highest numbers of deadly crashes with 383 and 365, respectively.
- Mecklenburg had more fatal accidents than any other county. The majority of these occurred on I-485.
10 Deadliest Road Stretches in North Carolina
- DEADLIEST ROAD IN NORTH CAROLINACliffdale Rd. from Beverly Dr. to Lansdowne Rd.Fayetteville
- Fatal Accidents:10
- fatalities:11
- Crashes Per Mile:2.0
- distance:4.9 Miles
- I-77 from S. Mint St. to Exit 5Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:1.5
- distance:4.7 Miles
- I-77 from Exit 25 to Exit 19AHuntersville | Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:1.5
- distance:4.6 Miles
- I-485 from Exit 26 to Exit 21Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:10
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:4.7 Miles
- The Plaza from Ilford St. to E. 36th St.Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:2.6
- distance:2.3 Miles
- US-421 from Exit 196 to Exit 190Guilford County
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:9
- Crashes Per Mile:1.0
- distance:4.9 Miles
- SR-55 from Pineview Cemetary Rd. to Indian Springs Rd.Wayne County
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:9
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:3.7 Miles
- I-485 from Exit 12 to Exit 9Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:1.4
- distance:3.6 Miles
- I-85 from Exit 33 to Exit 36Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.7
- distance:2.9 Miles
- Eastway Dr. from Hilliard Dr. to Central Ave.Charlotte
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:3.7
- distance:1.3 Miles
Drunk Driving Involved in 23% of Fatal Accidents
Out of the 4,017 fatal accidents recorded in North Carolina between 2018 and 2020, 941 involved drunk driving. It was the second-largest contributor to deadly crashes, second only to speeding by a small margin.
North Carolina considers driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher illegal. However, alcohol affects your driving before your BAC exceeds legal levels. Having approximately two alcoholic drinks puts your BAC at 0.02% and noticeably impairs your driving abilities. You start feeling more relaxed, which can result in some loss of judgment. You’ll also have difficulty with some tasks necessary in driving, like visually tracking moving objects and multitasking.
The costs of drunk driving cause stress in different areas, even if it doesn’t lead to fatalities. It categorizes you as a high-risk driver, making finding cheap car insurance in North Carolina difficult. You may also experience restricted driving privileges, license suspension and even jail time.
Speeding Is a Factor in 25% of Fatal Crashes
In North Carolina, between 2018 and 2020, speeding was a factor in 1,019 fatal accidents. That’s 25.4% of all deadly crashes recorded in the state.
Going above the speed limit has several consequences. It lengthens your stopping distance, increasing the chances of a collision if the car before you suddenly brakes. The momentum affects impact, causing more severe injuries or even death. Safety equipment in your vehicle and protective structures like guardrails and concrete barriers lose their effectiveness in these situations.
Distracted Driving Contributed to 7% of Fatal Accidents
Distracted driving contributed to 286 deadly accidents in North Carolina from 2018 to 2020. That’s 7.1% of the total fatal crashes recorded in the state. While this rate is somewhat low compared to speeding and drunk driving, distracted driving is still a problem in North Carolina. According to MoneyGeek’s distracted driving study, North Carolina had one of the most significant increases in rates of distracted driving from 2019 to 2020 of any state.
North Carolina has banned the use of cellphones for drivers under 18. Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers in the state, regardless of age. The state also uses primary enforcement, meaning police officers can pull you over and issue a citation for this violation alone.
June Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month
MoneyGeek’s study also explored whether fatal crashes in North Carolina tended to occur in specific months. Results showed that June had the most deadly accidents of any month, with 409 occurrences — that’s 10.18% of all recorded fatal crashes. May and September had the next-highest count at 383 and 365, respectively. All three months fall within what is commonly known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when traffic fatalities increase significantly in the U.S., on average.
Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet
Practicing safe driving has social and personal benefits. While you help keep North Carolina’s roads secure by driving safely, you also avoid accidents. However, situations can still arise when collisions happen; if they do, having insurance coverage is crucial. An affordable full coverage car insurance policy can protect you and your loved ones after a crash.
The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $841 per year. Remember that this is the state average, and rates may vary depending on your location. Car insurance in Fayetteville costs $940 per year on average for a full coverage car insurance policy. In contrast, auto insurance in Winston-Salem is $718 for a similar plan — that's a $222 difference. Car insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina’s most populous city, averages $939 annually.
Besides location, insurers also consider other factors when determining car insurance premiums. These may include your age, driving history and your car’s make and model. Rates also vary between providers. Comparing quotes between multiple insurers can help you find the cheapest car insurance company for your profile.
Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown
The top five counties with the most deadly crashes made up 23% of all recorded incidents in North Carolina in the three years studied. Mecklenburg had the highest count at 289, most of which occurred along I-485. MoneyGeek’s analysis found that these crashes typically involved speeding and drunk driving.
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database using fatality data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Impaired Driving: Get the Facts." Accessed April 28, 2022.
- Governors Highway Safety Association. "States Ramp Up Traffic Safety Initiatives Ahead of Deadly Summer Travel Season." Accessed April 28, 2022.
- National Conference of State Legislatures. "State Cellphone Use While Driving Laws." Accessed April 28, 2022.
- National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)." Accessed April 28, 2022.
- National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. "Highway Statistics Series." Accessed May 12, 2022.
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. "Avoiding Distracted Driving." Accessed April 28, 2022.
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. "Motor Vehicle Safety Issues." Accessed May 12, 2022.