Ortega Highway is one of the California’s bloodiest drives

Located in Southern California, in USA, the twisting two-lane Ortega Highway is one of California’s bloodiest drives. 

Why is Ortega Highway so dangerous?

This scenic highway has a killer reputation, especially for motorcyclists and has been rated as one of the deadliest roads in the U.S. If you're involved in a serious car accident on Ortega Highway, contact a car accident lawyer in Orange County. With sections of it carrying nicknames such as Dead Man's Curve, Ricochet Alley and Blood Alley, California 74 is, by some measures, the most dangerous road in the state. If you’re not careful, you could end up losing control of your vehicle, and end up in the hospital — or worse — the morgue. Parts of the road are so dangerous that at times they will claim several lives per year, usually those of motorcyclists who have the bad luck to be caught on one of these turns by a car, or who skid out of control and are thrown from their bikes.  As a matter of fact, this highway has claimed its fair share of lives due to automobile accidents. Many people are killed on this road, a lot of them are latinos who are not aware of señales de tránsito.

How long is Ortega Highway?

Part of the State Route 74 (SR 74), the road is 45.38kkm (28.2 miles) long running west-east from San Juan Capistrano (in Orange County along the Orange Coast) to Lake Elsinore (in western Riverside County).

Why is Ortega Highway famous for?

Running through mountains, pine forests and pastoral valleys, the road is not bad if you don't speed... but some people are always in a hurry to get to work or home. With hairpin turns, open stretches, beautiful mountain scenery and famous watering holes, the highway is an attraction for motorcyclists with deadly results. Highway 74 is definitely a spot you can hit up if you want an adrenaline rush or if you've got a penchant for unexpected airbag deployments.

Why is it called Ortega Highway?

Tucked away in the Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, the road is named after Sgt. José Francisco Ortega, a Spanish explorer.

How old is the Ortega Highway?

The road is mostly two lanes and totally paved. It was built in stages, mostly in the 1920's and 1930's. Some people say the road is haunted. The road meanders along an old Indian trail, passing dark green oaks and golden grasslands where mountain lions roam and red-tailed hawks circle.