More motor vehicle crashes occur on Route 95 than any other road in Maryland. More awfully, it ranked #23 on one study of most dangerous highways in the country.
Not surprisingly, it is the most widely used highway in Maryland, as well as the east coast, particularly for truckers given its proximity to the Port of Baltimore (where there have been a number of prolific truck accidents). Interstate 95 runs 1907 miles (3070 kilometers) up the east coast. The southernmost point of I-95 is in Miami and extends to the Canadian border in Houlton, Maine. Over 110 miles of Route 95 cuts through Maryland, connecting with such key trucking routes as which includes spur routes such as Route 195, Route 395, Route 695, Route 795 and Route 895.
Historically, a disproportionate number of fatal big rig truck wrecks in Maryland on Route 95, even more than you would expect given the extensive trucking activity on the highway.
Specifically, there was a larger number of fatal rear end truck accidents than would be expected, particularly in specific areas of Baltimore near the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. The reason for this high incident of truck accidents, investigators determined, was too many narrow or nonexistent shoulders on the Maryland stretch of Route 95.
This problem leads to more rear end truck accidents in Maryland because one of the leading causes of big vehicle crashes is their inability to stop, causing rear-end crashes. These are usually not the most deadly type of crash. But, when you are taking about 20,000 lbs and bigger vehicles, death becomes not only possible but likely.
Thankfully, we have made some progress on this front. Once this problem was clearly identified, something good happened, actually. Efforts were made to build or expand the shoulders in these problem areas and the number of rear end truck accidents on I-95 have thankfully significantly declined.
Worst I-95 Accidents
Below is a timeline of some of the worst vehicle accidents in the recent history of Interstate 95.
October 2024 – 2 Dead in Accident Near Greenland, NH: A high speed collision on I-95 near Greenland, New Hampshire resulted in the death of 2 people and serious injuries to a third person. The accident was caused by a 24-year-old male driving a Toyota Camry northbound who lost control of the vehicle and crossed over the median into the oncoming southbound traffic, colliding head on with a truck. Both drivers were killed and a passenger in the truck was seriously injured.
July 2024 – Tractor Trailer Collision Kills 5 in North Carolina: A horrific accident on I-95 near Kenly, North Carolina killed 5 people. The accident occurred when the driver of a large tractor-trailer truck failed to stop and smashed into another tractor trailer truck in front of him. The violent collision caused a multi-car pileup and one of the vehicles involved in the pileup caught on fire. A total of 5 people died in the accident. The accident occurred on a stretch of I-95 in Wilson County, NC that is notorious for commercial truck accidents. Between 2014 and 2023 there have been 16 big truck accidents involving fatalities on this 10 mile section of 95.
December 2022 – 2 Dead in 50-Car Pileup in Baltimore: A 50-vehicle pileup occurred on I-95 near Baltimore in December 2022, amidst icy road conditions caused by a sudden snowstorm. The chain-reaction crash resulted in at least 2 fatalities and dozens of injuries. This incident highlighted the dangers of winter driving on the interstate.
June 2022 – I-95 Collapse in Philadelphia: In June 2023, a section of I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed after a fiery tanker truck explosion. The incident led to severe traffic disruptions for weeks, but fortunately, no immediate fatalities were reported from the collapse itself. However, the incident underscores the risks of catastrophic accidents on such a busy interstate.
May 2019 – 4 Killed in Head On Collision in Brunswick County, NC: In 2019, a horrific accident involved a tractor-trailer that crossed the median and struck multiple vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. The crash resulted in a 6-vehicle pileup, leading to 4 fatalities and several serious injuries. Investigations revealed that the truck driver may have been fatigued.
March 2011 – Tour Bus Overturns in the Bronx Causing 15 Fatalities: One of the deadliest accidents on I-95 occurred in March 2011, when a tour bus overturned on the New England Thruway section of I-95 in the Bronx. The crash resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. The bus reportedly hit a guardrail, skidded, and flipped on its side, shearing off its roof. The driver was accused of falling asleep behind the wheel.
October 2004 – 92 Injuries From Sleet in Maryland: On a single day on I-95 in Maryland, between Washington DC and Baltimore, 17 separate collisions occurred resulting in serious injuries to 92 drivers and passengers. The accidents were caused by unexpected sleet and freezing rain causing the highway to become dangerously slippery.
August 2003 – Tanker Explosion in Connecticut: In 2003, a fiery crash involving multiple vehicles occurred on I-95 in Connecticut after a tanker truck exploded. The collision caused a fire so intense that it melted sections of the highway and resulted in 4 deaths. The fire also caused a major traffic shutdown for hours, stranding motorists.
February 2001 – Snow Storm Accident in Virginia: On February 20, 2001, a sudden snowstorm and freezing temperatures caused a 117-car pile-up on I-95 in Stafford, Virginia. The accident resulted in one death and 31 injuries. It is considered the worst car accident in Virginia’s history.
November 200 – Fog Causes 90-Vehicle Accidents and 4 Deaths in South Carolina: A massive fog-induced pileup on I-95 in South Carolina in March 2000 involved over 90 vehicles. The reduced visibility led to chain-reaction crashes that resulted in 5 fatalities and over 40 injuries. The pileup stretched for miles, making it one of the worst accidents in the state’s history.
January 1999 – 10 Killed in 95 Accident in Florida: In January 1999, a dense fog and smoke combination from nearby brush fires caused a devastating crash on I-95, involving more than 20 vehicles. The incident led to 10 fatalities and left many others injured. This crash prompted authorities to implement stricter measures for road closures during poor visibility conditions.
Most Dangerous Sections of I-95
Not all sections of I-95 are the same. Some stretches of this highway are significantly more hazardous than others. Below are some of the most notoriously dangerous sections of 95 in terms of accident risk.
Jacksonville, Florida
The I-95 section through Jacksonville sees a high volume of traffic, particularly around downtown interchanges like the Fuller Warren Bridge. The combination of heavy congestion, merging lanes, and drivers traveling at high speeds contributes to frequent accidents. This area is prone to rear-end collisions due to sudden stop-and-go traffic, especially during rush hour.
Miami-Dade County, Florida
South Florida is known for its aggressive driving culture, and the Miami section of I-95 is particularly dangerous. The Golden Glades Interchange near North Miami Beach is notorious for its confusing lane changes and congested conditions. According to a Smart Growth America report, Florida has some of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation, and the Miami area contributes significantly to these numbers, especially in areas where I-95 intersects with local streets.
Brunswick County, North Carolina
This stretch of I-95 is infamous for its narrow lanes, sharp curves, and lack of lighting. It’s particularly dangerous at night or in bad weather conditions. The area also experiences heavy truck traffic, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
Washington, D.C. Beltway (I-495) Interchange
The I-95/I-495 interchange near Washington, D.C. is a congested and complex section of the highway. Traffic backups and lane shifts often cause confusion and lead to collisions, especially during rush hour. This area is notorious for aggressive driving and sudden lane changes, increasing the risk of accidents.
Baltimore, Maryland
The stretch of I-95 through Baltimore, especially near the Fort McHenry Tunnel, is known for heavy congestion and aggressive driving. The combination of high traffic volume and narrow lanes near the tunnel can lead to rear-end collisions and sideswipe accidents. The interchange with I-895, which runs parallel to I-95, adds to the complexity and risk of crashes.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I-95 through Philadelphia is a densely packed urban section, especially around the Girard Point Bridge and the Center City area. Frequent construction, lane closures, and traffic congestion make this stretch highly accident-prone. Sudden lane merges and high-speed traffic result in a high rate of side collisions and rear-end accidents.
New Haven, Connecticut
This section is infamous for its outdated infrastructure and frequent construction zones. The Q Bridge (Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge) in New Haven is a major bottleneck that often causes backups and accidents, especially during peak travel times. The tight lanes and short merge areas near exits contribute to frequent crashes.
Providence, Rhode Island
The Providence stretch of I-95 is known for its narrow lanes, abrupt merges, and heavy commuter traffic. The I-95/I-195 interchange is particularly problematic due to its sharp curves and complicated layout. The congestion, coupled with aggressive lane-switching, leads to frequent fender benders and more severe crashes.
New York City (Bronx)
The section of I-95 that passes through the Bronx is one of the most congested in the entire country. The Cross Bronx Expressway is infamous for gridlock, frequent crashes, and aggressive driving. The expressway is also plagued by poor road conditions and limited space for maneuvering, making it a high-risk area for collisions, especially involving trucks.
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