In 2022, South Carolina ranked fourth on a list of fatal car accident numbers, with 1,094 car accident fatalities that year. Sadly, 17 of those fatalities happened in Columbia, with state highways the site of ten fatal crashes. Despite the efforts of Columbia’s Traffic Safety Unit, some of the city’s most dangerous roadways continue to offer hazardous driving conditions to both residents and visitors in the state’s capital. If you have been involved in an accident, speak to an experienced accident attorney in Columbia today.
I-26 West Through Columbia Is a “Crash Corridor”
I-26 sees four congested traffic lanes traveling through Columbia daily, with frequent construction projects adding to the mayhem. Frequent lane blockages from accidents cause frustration and delays. Common accidents on Columbia’s I-26 include:
- Sideswipes from unsafe lane changes
- Tailgating accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Head-on accidents
- DUI accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
Traffic experts consider I-26 West a high-crash-rate corridor through Columbia. Recent traffic disasters include a vehicle fire that shut down multiple lanes. Also, in May of 2025, a sudden sinkhole opened on I-26, requiring days of necessary repair. In addition, the I-26 and I-20 interchange is a confusing intersection well-known for its spectacularly confusing design, where many lanes converge while traffic moves at high speeds.
Harrowing Farrow Road Remains a Risk
Despite the addition of monitoring traffic cameras in 2022, Farrow Road continues to be a source of frustration for drivers and the site of frequent accidents. The recent addition of a new bicycle lane may be good news for the city’s cyclists, but the construction of the lane caused the normally four-lane traffic to narrow into three lanes in some areas, resulting in delays and increased accidents. Astonishingly, an accident reported in May of 2025 at Farrow and Old Sloan Road’s railroad tracks involved a collision between a train and a semi tractor-trailer truck.
Treachorous Traffic on Two Notch Road
Two Notch Road carries four lanes of traffic through Columbia’s commercial area, forming a commonly used thoroughfare with several notoriously dangerous intersections, including Two Notch and Trenholm Road Extension and the intersection of Two Notch Road and Sparkleberry Lane. The combination of local and through traffic, along with pedestrian traffic, makes it a particularly deadly roadway not only for motorists and cyclists, but also for pedestrians due to the area’s many shopping centers and restaurants, which attract foot traffic. In addition, the I-20 West overpass from Fairfield Road is listed as one of Columbia’s most deadly stretches of roadway.
Obstructed views, confusing intersections, and busy pedestrian activity make Two Notch Road notoriously treacherous.
Accidents at Assembly and Gervais Streets
One of the most dangerous sections of roadway in Columbia is the intersection of Assembly Street and Gervais Street (US-1) downtown. With the University of Columbia and a multitude of government buildings, pedestrians walk in close proximity to congested traffic flow in the downtown area.
What Are the Worst Times to Travel Columbia’s Most Dangerous Roads?
The dangerous roadways in Columbia, South Carolina, are particularly hazardous during nighttime hours due to inadequate lighting and poor visibility. 32.9% of car accidents in Colombia occur between midnight and 6:00 AM. Over half of Columbia’s accidents (51.18%) occur on weekends from Friday through Sunday. The second-most dangerous traffic time in Colombia is the morning rush between 6:00 AM and noon on weekdays.