10 Most Dangerous Roads in Dallas Where Drivers May Need Towing

Dallas drivers are no strangers to heavy traffic, high-speed highways and complicated intersections. Add construction, sudden lane changes, distracted driving and Texas weather, and a normal commute can turn into a roadside emergency surprisingly quickly.

But some Dallas roads deserve more caution than others.

The City of Dallas takes traffic safety seriously enough to maintain a High Injury Network (HIN) identifying streets where fatal and severe crashes are disproportionately concentrated. In fact, only about 7% of Dallas roads account for approximately 62% of crashes resulting in death or serious injury.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid driving in Dallas. It does mean knowing where risks are elevated—and what to do if your vehicle is involved in a collision or becomes disabled.

Here are 10 Dallas roads and corridors drivers should approach with extra caution, along with practical advice about when a tow truck or roadside assistance may be necessary.

Note: This is not an official City of Dallas 1–10 danger ranking. The list draws on Dallas Vision Zero High Injury Network information, city corridor studies and TxDOT crash-safety data to highlight roads with documented safety concerns or significant roadside risk.

Dallas Roads at a Glance

1. Loop 12

Loop 12 deserves particular attention because it is not simply one type of road throughout Dallas. Depending on where you are traveling, portions are known as Walton Walker Boulevard, Northwest Highway, Buckner Boulevard, Great Trinity Forest Way and Ledbetter Drive.

TxDOT pedestrian-safety data identifies State Loop 12 as the leading Dallas County corridor in its list of top five corridors for fatal and serious-injury pedestrian crashes.

Dallas Vision Zero data also highlights several sections that form part of the city’s High Injury Network.

Why can Loop 12 be challenging?

Drivers may encounter everything from busy commercial areas and intersections to faster-moving roadway sections. That creates frequent changes in traffic speed and driving conditions.

A crash here can leave a vehicle with damaged wheels, suspension, steering or bodywork. Mechanical failures and tire problems can also become especially stressful when they happen close to fast-moving traffic.

When you may need towing: If your vehicle has been hit, has a damaged wheel, will not steer normally or cannot safely continue, don’t try to “make it home.” Arrange a tow.

2. Buckner Boulevard

Buckner Boulevard is one of the names that appears repeatedly in Dallas traffic-safety data.

The City’s analysis of its Vehicle High Injury Network identified several Buckner segments among roadway sections where drivers were particularly likely to be killed or seriously injured. These included portions around Lake June Road, Great Trinity Forest Way, I-30, Forney Road, Bruton Road and Scyene Road.

That repetition is important.

It indicates that the concern isn’t limited to one isolated intersection.

What makes Buckner a road to respect?

Buckner carries substantial local traffic while connecting neighborhoods, businesses and major roads. Drivers frequently encounter turning vehicles, intersections and changes in traffic flow.

Rear-end collisions, side impacts and intersection crashes can leave a vehicle appearing drivable even when its alignment, suspension or steering has been damaged.

If the steering wheel suddenly sits crooked, a tire rubs against the body, warning lights appear after an impact, or the car pulls heavily to one side, stop driving and consider towing.

3. Great Trinity Forest Way

Great Trinity Forest Way is another corridor prominently represented in Dallas Vision Zero data.

The segment from Jim Miller Road to US 175 was listed first in the City’s published top 15 Vehicle High Injury Network roadway segments. Another segment between South Central Expressway and Pemberton Hill also appeared near the top.

For drivers, that makes Great Trinity Forest Way an important corridor on which to stay especially alert.

Higher speeds can make breakdowns more dangerous as well. A simple mechanical problem becomes more serious when your disabled car is exposed to moving traffic.

If your car breaks down here

Get as far away from active traffic as safely possible. Turn on your hazard lights and avoid standing next to the traffic-facing side of your vehicle.

If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, arrange roadside assistance or towing rather than attempting repairs in an exposed lane or shoulder.

4. Northwest Highway

Northwest Highway is one of Dallas’s busiest east-west corridors and also appears prominently in Vision Zero analysis.

The City’s Vehicle High Injury Network analysis highlighted the segment from Walton Walker Boulevard to Harry Hines Boulevard, as well as another section between Harry Hines and Timberline Drive.

Northwest Highway combines busy intersections, commercial entrances, turning traffic and connections with major Dallas roadways.

That means drivers need to anticipate vehicles entering, exiting, merging and changing lanes.

Towing situations on Northwest Highway

A collision may result in a damaged radiator, wheel, suspension or steering system. Even if the engine still runs, continuing to drive could turn relatively contained damage into a much more expensive repair.

Watch for coolant leaking beneath the car, rising engine temperature, unusual tire angles or grinding sounds after a collision.

Those are good reasons to stop and call for assistance.

5. Interstate 35E

Few roads are more important to Dallas mobility than I-35E—and that also means enormous traffic exposure.

TxDOT’s Dallas District pedestrian-safety profile lists I-35E as the second-highest Dallas County corridor among its top five for fatal and serious-injury pedestrian crashes, behind Loop 12.

For motorists, the combination of freeway speeds, congestion, merging traffic and major interchanges means a breakdown requires immediate attention.

A flat tire that might be inconvenient on a quiet neighborhood street can become dangerous beside an interstate.

What if your vehicle fails on I-35E?

If possible, move completely out of the travel lane. Turn on your hazards and call for professional assistance.

Depending on the problem, you may need:

• flat-tire assistance
• a jump start
• fuel delivery
• standard towing
• flatbed towing
• collision recovery

Never remain in a live traffic lane attempting to diagnose a vehicle if you can safely get away from traffic.

6. Interstate 30

I-30 is another critical Dallas freeway appearing in TxDOT’s Dallas County crash-corridor data.

The interstate carries commuters, commercial traffic and travelers across the region. Traffic can move rapidly when conditions are clear and slow abruptly when congestion develops.

Those large speed differences are one reason drivers should maintain adequate following distance.

Why towing may become necessary

Highway-speed collisions can cause damage that isn’t immediately obvious.

A car may start and move after impact but still have problems with its suspension, tires, cooling system or alignment. If airbags deployed, fluids are leaking or a wheel has been struck hard, having the vehicle inspected before continuing is generally the safer approach.

A tow costs far less than risking further mechanical damage—or another crash.

7. Interstate 635 / LBJ Freeway

LBJ Freeway is one of the most recognizable roads in North Dallas and an essential part of the region’s freeway network.

TxDOT’s pedestrian-safety data places I-635 among Dallas County’s top five corridors for fatal and serious-injury pedestrian crashes.

For motorists, LBJ also presents the familiar challenges of a major urban freeway: high traffic volume, multiple lanes, major interchanges, merging vehicles and significant speed differences during congestion.

A breakdown on LBJ requires quick decisions

If your engine overheats, a tire fails or warning lights indicate a serious mechanical issue, do not keep driving simply because reaching the next exit seems convenient.

Continuing to drive an overheating engine, for example, can turn a cooling-system problem into major engine damage.

Move somewhere safe if possible and arrange assistance.

8. Camp Wisdom Road

Camp Wisdom Road isn’t an interstate, but Dallas transportation officials have specifically identified part of it as a safety priority.

The segment between South Cockrell Hill Road and I-35E is part of Dallas’s High Injury Network for all transportation modes, and the City has been studying improvements to address safety along the corridor.

That designation makes Camp Wisdom different from a road included merely because it “feels busy.” It has been identified through the City’s data-driven Vision Zero process.

What drivers should watch for

On urban arterials such as Camp Wisdom, risk often comes from multiple directions: intersections, turning traffic, pedestrians, vehicles entering businesses and changing traffic speeds.

If you are involved in a collision, don’t assume cosmetic-looking damage means the vehicle is mechanically safe.

Check the wheels, tires, steering and dashboard warnings before attempting to continue.

9. Ferguson Road

Ferguson Road is another Dallas Vision Zero priority corridor.

The City lists Ferguson Road between I-30 and I-635 among its ongoing Vision Zero projects, and portions of the corridor are part of the High Injury Network.

Unlike an access-controlled interstate, an urban road such as Ferguson has numerous points where road users can interact.

Drivers may be turning into businesses, entering neighborhoods, crossing intersections or changing lanes within relatively short distances.

When should you call a tow?

After an accident, towing is advisable when the vehicle:

• cannot steer properly
• has a severely damaged tire or wheel
• is leaking significant fluid
• has suspension damage
• has deployed airbags
• overheats
• will not start
• cannot safely maintain normal road speed

If you are unsure, avoiding additional driving is usually wiser than gambling on damaged components.

10. Military Parkway

Military Parkway completes the list because its safety status is unusually clear.

The City of Dallas explicitly states that Military Parkway is on the Vision Zero High Injury Network and is among the city’s most dangerous streets for roadway users. Dallas has been studying the stretch between Forney Road and Buckner Boulevard to identify future mobility and safety improvements.

The corridor carries local traffic through an urban environment where intersections, businesses, pedestrians and different road users can create complex conditions.

Roadside trouble can compound the danger

If your vehicle stalls near an intersection or becomes disabled in a traffic lane, your priority should be getting yourself out of immediate danger—not trying to perform roadside repairs in an unsafe location.

Call emergency services when there is an immediate safety threat. Otherwise, roadside assistance or towing can help move the vehicle to a safer location or repair facility.

Why Dallas’s High Injury Network Matters

Calling a road “dangerous” can easily become clickbait unless there is evidence behind it.

Dallas’s High Injury Network provides that evidence.

The City created the network by analyzing where fatal and severe crashes occur. According to Dallas Vision Zero, approximately 7% of Dallas streets account for 62% of crashes resulting in fatalities or severe injuries.

The City’s separate vehicle analysis found an even stronger concentration: only about 4% of streets accounted for 59% of severe crashes involving only motor vehicles.

In other words, serious crashes aren’t distributed evenly across Dallas.

That is why knowing high-risk corridors matters for drivers—and why being prepared for a roadside emergency matters too.

What Should You Do If Your Car Breaks Down on a Dangerous Dallas Road?

The first priority isn’t your car. It’s avoiding another collision.

If your vehicle can still move safely, get out of the active traffic lanes and stop as far from moving traffic as practical. Turn on your hazard lights.

Then assess the situation from a safe location.

A dead battery, empty fuel tank or straightforward flat tire may only require roadside assistance. Collision damage, transmission failure, severe overheating, broken suspension or a vehicle that won’t move generally calls for towing.

On a high-speed road, avoid standing between your vehicle and approaching traffic or attempting repairs where you are exposed to passing vehicles.

If there has been a serious collision, someone is injured, the vehicle is blocking a dangerous location or there is an immediate traffic hazard, contact 911.

Tow Truck or Roadside Assistance: Which Do You Need?

The exact towing method should always depend on the vehicle, its condition and manufacturer instructions.

Need Towing on a Dallas Road?

If your vehicle becomes disabled on I-35E, I-30, Loop 12 or another Dallas-area road, getting it out of a dangerous position quickly can be just as important as getting it to a repair shop.

DA Cheap Towing Company serves Dallas and the wider Dallas–Fort Worth area with towing and roadside assistance. Drivers can contact the company for accident towing, flatbed towing, breakdown recovery, jump starts, tire assistance and other roadside emergencies.

When requesting a tow, provide your road name, direction of travel, nearest exit or intersection, vehicle make and model, and a clear description of what happened. The more accurately you describe your location and vehicle condition, the easier it is for the dispatcher to determine the appropriate response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most dangerous roads in Dallas?

Dallas Vision Zero data identifies a network of roads with disproportionate concentrations of fatal and serious-injury crashes. Notable corridors include portions of Loop 12, Buckner Boulevard, Great Trinity Forest Way, Northwest Highway, Camp Wisdom Road, Ferguson Road and Military Parkway. TxDOT data also highlights major Dallas County interstate corridors including I-35E, I-30, I-635 and I-20.

What is the Dallas High Injury Network?

The High Injury Network is Dallas’s data-driven map of streets where fatal and severe-injury crashes are disproportionately concentrated. It helps the City prioritize road-safety investments.

What should I do if my car breaks down on I-35E or I-30?

Move out of active traffic if your vehicle can be moved safely, activate your hazard lights and contact roadside assistance or a towing provider. If you cannot safely leave a traffic lane or the situation creates an immediate danger, call 911.

Should I stay inside my car while waiting for a tow truck?

There is no single answer for every roadside situation. Your safest location depends on where the vehicle stopped, surrounding traffic and roadside conditions. Avoid standing next to moving traffic or directly in front of or behind a disabled vehicle. Follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel when they are present.

Can a tow truck remove an accident-damaged vehicle?

Yes. Depending on the damage, a towing operator may use a conventional tow truck, flatbed or recovery equipment. Tell the dispatcher if wheels, steering, suspension or bodywork are severely damaged.

Do I always need towing after a Dallas traffic accident?

No. Minor incidents may leave a vehicle legally and mechanically safe to drive. However, if there is steering, wheel, tire, suspension, cooling-system or significant body damage—or you are uncertain whether the vehicle is safe—professional towing can prevent additional damage and risk.

What information should I give a Dallas towing company?

Provide the road or highway name, direction of travel, nearest exit/intersection or recognizable landmark, your vehicle’s make and model, and the nature of the problem. On a large freeway, saying “I’m on I-35E” is not enough; precise location information can make a major difference.

Conclusion

Dallas has millions of daily vehicle movements across everything from neighborhood arterials to massive interstate corridors. Most trips end without incident, but crash data shows that serious collisions are concentrated on a relatively small portion of the city’s road network.

Loop 12, Buckner Boulevard, Great Trinity Forest Way, Northwest Highway, I-35E, I-30, I-635, Camp Wisdom Road, Ferguson Road and Military Parkway all deserve extra attention for different reasons.

Knowing the road is only part of staying prepared.

Slow down when conditions require it, leave adequate following distance, avoid distractions and never continue driving a vehicle that has become mechanically unsafe after a collision or breakdown.

And if your vehicle does leave you stranded on one of Dallas’s busiest roads, focus first on getting yourself out of danger—then get the right roadside or towing help to move your vehicle safely.