Steer Clear Of America's "Death Highway" When Planning A Road Trip
By Mina Elwell
VACATIONS
The Permian Basin, which stretches across Western Texas and New Mexico, is the home of Route 285 and is known as America's "Death Highway."
Route 285 is often used by big rigs carrying fuel and supplies through the basin. These massive trucks are why the highway has earned its reputation as one of the deadliest roads.
Exhausted drivers in huge vehicles going at top speeds put themselves and other drivers at risk of fatal collisions. In 2017, a staggering 93 people died in crashes on Route 285.
Historically, when demand for oil increases, so do deaths on Route 285, as inexperienced truck drivers are rushed into these dangerous roles and made to work long hours.