Driving in Jackson can be beautiful, but it also comes with risks. Some roads in the city are known for their high number of fatal crashes. The deadliest roads in the capital city are in both residential and commercial areas, each with its own hazards. Whether commuting to work or taking a road trip, being aware of the dangerous highways that might put you at risk is essential.
Sharp curves and busy intersections are standard on Jackson’s roadways and highways, often leading to fatal accidents. Dangerous intersections and poor road conditions, such as bad potholes or uneven pavement, can also contribute to these tragic events. Understanding where these danger zones are can help you stay safe and avoid becoming a victim of these hazardous roads. You must take precautions and drive more carefully on Jackson’s most dangerous roads.
At Giddens Law Firm, P.A., our Jackson car accident lawyers have represented accident victims on these dangerous corridors for over three decades and have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of crashes on Jackson’s most hazardous roads. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Dangerous Is It To Drive in Jackson, MS?
Driving through Jackson, Mississippi, has become increasingly dangerous, and the statistics paint a sobering picture. According to early 2024 estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although the number of fatal car accidents dropped, Mississippi’s traffic fatality rate is still the second highest in the U.S., at 1.79 for every 100 vehicle miles traveled.
Unfortunately, many of these traffic fatalities is happening in our backyard. According to the Mississippi Department of Health, Jackson-area car accidents resulted in 2,456 injuries and 48 fatal crashes claiming 53 lives in the most recent reporting period. Jackson accounts for approximately seven percent of all car accident deaths in Mississippi, making it a critical focal point in the state’s traffic safety crisis. The economic and human toll is staggering—fatal and serious traffic crashes in Mississippi caused an estimated $14.1 billion in societal harm in 2024, including $3.5 billion in economic costs and $10.6 billion in quality-of-life costs.
The capital city’s strategic position as a significant transportation hub compounds these risks. With Interstate 55 and Interstate 20 intersecting at the heart of Jackson and numerous busy arterial roads serving commuters and commercial traffic, the combination of high-speed highways, congested urban streets, and mixed traffic patterns creates a perfect storm for serious accidents.
Mississippi’s Deadliest Highway: I-55 in Jackson
Interstate 55 cuts through the heart of Jackson, serving as a vital north-south corridor for both local commuters and interstate travelers. However, this critical artery holds a grim distinction: the stretch between Elton Road and I-220 has been identified as the deadliest highway segment in all of Mississippi, with 31 fatal crashes recorded over a five-year period. Statewide, I-55 averages approximately 0.61 fatalities per mile, making it one of the most dangerous roadways in Mississippi.
This particular section of I-55 presents multiple hazards that contribute to its deadly reputation. The roadway experiences intense commuter congestion during morning and evening rush hours, with thousands of vehicles merging, exiting, and changing lanes in a compressed space. High-speed merging zones create dangerous situations where drivers must quickly accelerate to match freeway speeds while watching for gaps in fast-moving traffic.
Several major interchanges along this stretch further complicate traffic flow. The proximity to significant landmarks adds to the congestion—the University of Mississippi Medical Center draws medical professionals, patients, and visitors throughout the day, while Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport generates additional traffic from travelers and airport employees. The combination of commuter traffic, medical center activity, and airport-related congestion creates constant pressure on this already dangerous segment.
Driver error, speeding, distracted driving, and sudden lane changes in heavy traffic all contribute to the elevated crash risk. When accidents occur on this stretch, they often involve multiple vehicles and result in serious injuries or fatalities due to the high speeds involved. National data shows that speeding-related traffic crashes increased 16 percent from 2019 to 2024, and now represent 28 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities—a trend clearly reflected on Jackson’s high-speed interstate corridors.
I-20 – A Persistent Danger Zone
Interstate 20, which runs east-west through Jackson, represents another persistent danger zone for drivers. The southwest Jackson stretch has earned particular notoriety, especially around the interchanges at Mississippi Highway 18 and Ellis Avenue, where severe and multi-vehicle accidents occur with alarming frequency.
This section of I-20 serves as a critical commuter route, connecting residential neighborhoods with industrial and commercial areas. The roadway transitions between different environments—from suburban residential zones to industrial complexes—creating varied traffic patterns and speeds. Trucks hauling freight mix with passenger vehicles, school traffic during peak hours, and shoppers heading to commercial districts.
The interchanges themselves present complex challenges. Drivers must navigate entrance and exit ramps while accounting for merging traffic, often with limited visibility and short acceleration lanes. The MS 18 interchange, in particular, sees heavy use throughout the day, creating bottlenecks during rush hours that can lead to rear-end collisions and sideswipe accidents.
Recent accident reports from this area paint a concerning picture. Multi-vehicle pileups, rollover crashes, and serious injury collisions occur regularly, particularly during adverse weather conditions when the roadway becomes slick. The combination of commercial truck traffic, commuter congestion, and complex interchange designs makes this stretch of I-20 one of Jackson’s most hazardous corridors.
Lakeland Drive (MS-25): Urban Accident Hotspot
While the interstates garner significant attention for their danger, Lakeland Drive (Mississippi Highway 25) stands out as the most crash-prone urban arterial roadway in Jackson, trailing only I-55 and I-20 in total accident numbers. This busy thoroughfare winds through densely populated metro sectors, connecting residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and educational institutions.
Lakeland Drive’s risk profile differs from the interstate highways. Rather than high-speed crashes, this roadway sees frequent accidents related to urban driving challenges: intersection collisions, pedestrian incidents, and crashes related to turning movements and parking lot access. The road carries both local traffic making short trips and through-traffic using it as an alternative to the congested interstates.
Several prominent landmarks along Lakeland Drive contribute to its heavy traffic volume and accident frequency. Belhaven University attracts students, faculty, and visitors throughout the academic year, with pedestrian activity and frequent turning movements near campus. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science draws tourists and school groups, adding to the mix of traffic types and creating additional distraction points.
The combination of residential driveways, commercial entrances, traffic signals, and varied speed limits requires constant vigilance from drivers. Left-turn collisions at intersections, rear-end accidents at traffic lights, and sideswipe crashes during lane changes are common on this urban corridor. Nationally, distraction-affected traffic crashes increased five percent from 2019 to 2023, claiming 3,275 lives—a trend that manifests daily on busy urban arterials like Lakeland Drive. During school hours and rush periods, traffic congestion intensifies, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
High-Risk Intersections in Jackson
Beyond dangerous road segments, specific intersections in Jackson have earned reputations as accident hotspots where multiple risk factors converge. These locations consistently appear in accident reports and represent some of the most challenging navigation points in the metro area.
- I-55 and MS-25/Lakeland Drive: This major interchange combines interstate traffic with one of Jackson’s busiest urban arterials. Drivers must navigate complex merging patterns while dealing with heavy traffic volume from multiple directions. The interchange sees crashes during all hours but becomes particularly dangerous during rush hour when bottlenecks form and drivers make aggressive lane changes to reach their exits.
- I-55 and I-20 Junction: As the intersection of Jackson’s two primary interstate corridors, this interchange handles enormous traffic volumes daily. The complex interchange design requires drivers to process multiple signs and make quick decisions while traveling at highway speeds. Confusion about which lane leads to which destination, combined with aggressive driving and inadequate following distances, leads to frequent crashes. This location is particularly dangerous for unfamiliar drivers navigating through Jackson for the first time.
- E McDowell Road and S Gallatin Street: This surface street intersection represents the dangers present on Jackson’s non-highway roads. Located in a mixed-use area, the intersection sees diverse traffic including commuters, commercial vehicles, and local residents. Visibility issues, particularly during certain times of day when sun glare affects drivers, contribute to collision risk. Red-light running and failure to yield remain persistent problems at this location.
These intersections share common risk factors: high traffic volume, complex navigation requirements, rush hour bottlenecks, and the mixing of different traffic types. Drivers face visibility challenges, must make quick decisions, and often encounter aggressive driving behaviors from others attempting to navigate congested conditions.
Additional Hazardous Roads for Truckers and Local Drivers
While the interstates and major arterials receive the most attention, several other roadways in and around Jackson pose significant risks, particularly for commercial truckers and drivers making regular commutes through varied terrain.
- US Highway 49 serves as a major north-south route parallel to I-55, carrying significant truck traffic and local commuters. This highway presents unique challenges as it transitions between rural and urban environments. In rural sections, higher speeds and two-lane configurations create head-on collision risks and limited opportunities to pass slower vehicles. As the highway enters Jackson’s urban areas, drivers must adjust to increased traffic, more frequent intersections, and pedestrians.
- State Street cuts through central Jackson, serving as a major commercial and commuter corridor. This urban roadway sees a diverse mix of traffic throughout the day, from delivery trucks serving downtown businesses to commuters and shoppers. The street’s narrow lanes, on-street parking, frequent traffic signals, and numerous driveways and cross streets create constant conflict points where accidents can occur.
Both truckers and regular drivers face additional hazards from work zones, which have become increasingly common as infrastructure improvement projects proceed throughout Jackson. From 2019 to 2023, highway work zone crashes in Mississippi resulted in 21 traffic fatalities. Construction zones reduce lane widths, alter traffic patterns, and require reduced speeds—but many drivers fail to adjust appropriately, leading to serious accidents.
The rural versus urban risk dynamic also plays a significant role in Jackson-area accidents. Rural roads may seem safer due to less traffic, but they often have higher speed limits, limited shoulders, less lighting, and delayed emergency response times. When serious accidents occur on rural roadways, victims may wait longer for help, potentially worsening injuries.
Recent accident trends show that both commercial truck drivers and passenger vehicle operators face elevated risks throughout Jackson’s road network. Truck accidents, in particular, tend to result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight disparity between commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
Contact Our Jackson Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident on one of Jackson’s dangerous roads, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a serious accident can be overwhelming, and insurance companies often fail to provide fair compensation without pressure from experienced legal representation.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A. has fought for Mississippi accident victims for over thirty years, recovering millions in settlements and verdicts. We understand the unique challenges of accidents on Jackson’s roadways and know how to build strong cases that result in maximum compensation. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide the guidance and representation you need.
Stay informed about road conditions, drive defensively, and know your rights if an accident occurs. Your safety and your family’s financial security may depend on the decisions you make both behind the wheel and in the aftermath of a crash.
If you’ve been injured, contact Giddens Law Firm, P.A. today for a free consultation. There’s no fee until we win your case.