Drivers along Interstate 4 are accustomed to lengthy traffic backups and construction zones, but a recent study suggests the interstate, which runs from Daytona Beach to Tampa, is the most dangerous in America.

  • I-4 is deadliest interstate in US, EverQuote data suggest
  • Data: I-4 had 1.41 deaths per mile from 2010-2015
  • I-95, I-10 also made top 10 deadliest list

Rolando Rivera and Kate Harbourt are frequent SunRail users. They take the train specifically to avoid I-4 in Orlando.

“It’s just a safety hazard. All the time you see going down I-4 an accident every 10 minutes,” Rivera said.

Auto insurance quote generator EverQuote said it looked at interstate deaths using raw data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compile a list of the most dangerous interstates in the country.

Based on its NHTSA analysis and a comparison with data from the company's app, EverDrive, the company determined that I-4 is the deadliest interstate, per mile, anywhere in the country.

"It’s scary to think that we live right off one of the most dangerous roads in the country," Rivera said.

In the 132 miles of I-4 stretching from Tampa to Daytona Beach, EverQuote estimated that from 2010 to 2015, there has been an average of almost 1.41 deaths per mile.

Looking at data from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a large number of deadly crashes along I-4 in the past year have happened near Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach — areas with larger populations and higher numbers of tourists.

I-4 wasn’t the only interstate in Florida to make the top 10 list of most dangerous interstates. Interstate 95, which runs 1,926 miles from South Florida to Maine, ranked No. 5 with almost 1 death per mile. In addition, Interstate 10, which runs 2,460 miles from Jacksonville to California, was seventh nationally.

The Florida Department of Transportation would not comment on specific numbers. But spokesperson Steve Olson said, “We need buy-in from drivers at safe speeds, observe safe driving behaviors, don’t text and drive, and give driving total focus while behind the wheel.”

As for Rivera and Harbourt, they said they're always looking for alternative ways to get around than I-4.

“We always have to take I-4. It seems like a necessity. But in our free time, we like to use the SunRail instead.”

FDOT also said it hopes initiatives such as I-4 Ultimate, Beyond the Ultimate and other widening projects throughout our area will help improve safety along the interstate.