Here are the most dangerous roads in Massachusetts and why they are so deadly

The most dangerous roads in Massachusetts are primarily highways and intersections characterized by heavy traffic, poor design, and high crash rates. Based on available data, here are the key roads and areas to watch out for, focusing on fatal crashes and accident frequency:

• Interstate 95 (I-95): Often cited as the deadliest highway in the U.S., I-95 in Massachusetts sees severe congestion, especially in summer with beach traffic. The stretch from South Main Street to Exit 21 in Norwood is particularly hazardous, with 1.2 fatal crashes per mile (6 fatalities over 4.3 miles from 2018–2020). In 2019, I-95 had 284 fatalities nationwide, with a fatality rate of 14.88 per 100 miles, and Massachusetts’ 92-mile portion is a major contributor.
• Interstate 495 (I-495): This outer beltway around Boston is increasingly dangerous, averaging 9.5 fatalities per year. The section from Stow Road to Exit 70 southbound (Bolton to Harvard Station) is a high-risk zone. I-495’s interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) is notorious, with nearly 500 accidents in a four-year span. Heavy truck traffic and commuter congestion exacerbate risks.
• Interstate 93 (I-93): Running through downtown Boston, I-93 is one of the most congested highways in the country, with the southbound stretch ranked fourth-most congested nationally. The northbound section from Exit 39 to Exit 42 in Andover is the riskiest, averaging 1.2 crashes per mile over 3.3 miles. Water buildup after rain causes hydroplaning, adding to dangers.
• Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90): This toll road from New York to Boston faces year-round congestion, particularly at the I-495 interchange. Rural sections are prone to wildlife crossings and weather-related hazards like snow and ice, contributing to hundreds of annual crashes.
• State Route 24 (Fall River Expressway): Despite being only 34 miles long, this commuter route connecting Brockton, Taunton, and Fall River has a disproportionately high number of fatal crashes due to narrow lanes, short merge areas, and reckless driving.
• Interstate 290 (I-290): In Worcester, which has the highest fatal crash count among Massachusetts counties, I-290 is a hotspot. Its eight closely spaced entrance/exit ramps (“friction areas”) within a three-mile radius between Route 146 and I-190 create frequent collisions.
• Interstate 195 (I-195): Linking Providence, RI, to Fall River, New Bedford, and Cape Cod, the Rehoboth-Swansea stretch (4.9 miles) saw three fatalities in 2019, with 0.6 crashes per mile.
• Main Street, Brockton (Perkins Ave to Stonehouse Hill Rd): This 3.2-mile urban stretch had 5 fatalities from 2018–2020, with a fatal crash rate of 1.5 per mile, potentially making it the state’s most dangerous by rate