Most car rides today involve some kind of traffic jam, roadworks, or a random obstacle that slows down your day. But it could be worse. Much worse.
For example, how does driving on the edge of a mountain pass while another vehicle comes towards you sound, where one wrong move can end in disaster?
This is the reality in many parts of the world, where the only way to get from point A to point B is to literally risk your life, writes BBC Science Focus.
So buckle up and prepare for a terrifying ride as we go through some of the most dangerous roads on the planet.
Keylong Kishtwar Road, India
If 235 kilometers of narrow gravel road through dangerous mountain passes sounds like your ideal idea of a fun trip, then the road from Keylong to Kishtwar in India is just for you.
There are no guardrails between you and a chasm thousands of meters deep in the valley below. When the danger of landslides and changeable weather are added to that, it is clear why this is one of the most dangerous roads in India.
One section of the road, known as the “Cliff Hanger,” is so narrow that there is a risk that part of the surface could simply crumble away if you get too close to the edge.
Ibarska Magistrala, Serbia
Locally known as the “Black Highway,” State Road 22, or the Ibarska Magistrala, is one of the most dangerous roads in Europe, but also one of the busiest in the country.
This road connects Belgrade with other major cities and municipalities in Serbia, as well as with neighboring countries like Montenegro.
A series of long straight sections interrupted by dangerous curves leads to a high number of traffic accidents, especially at night. Most of them are linked to speeding or drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Transfăgărășan, Romania
Romania has some of the worst roads in Europe when it comes to the quality of thoroughfares. However, their most famous and most dangerous road is the Transfăgărășan.
This winding mountain road climbs to more than 2,000 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views along its 150 kilometers. It is full of hairpins, tunnels, and sharp changes in altitude, which represents a serious challenge for many tourists who drive this route every year.
Another major danger on this road are huge herds of sheep in the middle of the roadway. Shepherds also use this route to transfer livestock between pastures, so this is likely a road you should avoid if you are in a hurry.
Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
Skippers Canyon is a gorge in New Zealand that follows the course of the Shotover River. In 1862, gold was discovered in that area, which made it necessary to build a road through the canyon.
The resulting road was cut into the rocks by the hands of miners, using only hand tools and explosives. Due to the soft rocky ground, the surface can be very slippery when it rains, and when it is dry – brittle and unstable.
The road is characterized by steep cliffs, countless hairpins, and a width sufficient only for one-way passage for most of its 22-kilometer length. Due to its notorious danger, insurance for rental vehicles is not valid on this section.
By the time the road was finally finished, the gold rush had already passed, but its historical value and stunning landscapes still make it a popular tourist destination today.
James Dalton Highway, USA
Made famous by the TV show “Ice Road Truckers,” the James Dalton Highway is a long thoroughfare that connects the city of Fairbanks with the northern community of Deadhorse, above the Arctic Circle.
This 666-kilometer section is named after an Alaskan engineer and serves as the main route for trucks transporting fuel and supplies to workers in the oil fields. Only a third of the road is paved, while the rest consists of gravel and stones.
Bad weather conditions, such as snow and ice, are the main dangers people face on this road. However, the isolation and the presence of polar bears along the way further increase the risk factor.
Zojila Pass, India
Zojila Pass is an important road connecting the Ladakh region with the Kashmir Valley. Due to its location high in the Himalayas, this road endures massive amounts of snow and ice and is often closed for months.
On certain parts of the road, there is enough space for only one vehicle. Since there are no guardrails, in many places there is literally nothing between you and a steep drop into the valley. In short, this is not a route for the faint of heart.
A new tunnel is currently being built along a large part of the route to protect the road from the worst winter conditions and allow it to remain open throughout the year. However, it remains to be seen whether this will significantly increase safety.
Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan
This rather eerie road winds through the mountains of Pakistan at altitudes greater than 3,000 meters above sea level in some parts, and it is wide enough for only one vehicle.
Here, too, there are no guardrails to prevent a vehicle from flying off into the valley below. And that, unfortunately, happens quite often.
This 16-kilometer road connects the Karakoram Highway with the small village of Tato in the Fairy Meadows National Park. Due to its danger, only local drivers are allowed to operate on it.
Yungas Road, Bolivia
North Yungas Road is one of the most famous dangerous roads in the world, and for good reason.
This 64-kilometer section connects the city of La Paz with the Yungas region in Bolivia and it was estimated that it took between 200 and 300 lives annually, until a new highway opened nearby offering a much safer alternative.
This terrifying road is nothing more than a gravel path through the mountains. The main challenges are fog and rain that reduce visibility during passage through the very narrow and winding road. The situation is further complicated by traffic from the opposite direction, which is why vehicles often have to pass each other right at the edge of dangerously steep abysses.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway is one of the highest roads in the world, which in itself brings a series of challenges. From avoiding avalanches and landslides to passing through narrow one-way sections at high altitudes with poor traction – this road is a serious test for any driver.
Despite everything, this is a very busy thoroughfare. Frequent traffic jams and delays mean that traveling the entire route can sometimes take up to 15 days, and tensions among drivers rise easily when conditions become particularly difficult.
If you are brave enough to travel this route, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of snowy mountains and deep, dramatic gorges.
Bayburt D915, Turkey
The winding D915 regularly appears on lists of the world’s scariest roads thanks to numerous hairpins cut into the mountainous terrain. It connects the Black Sea on the northern coast with the city of Bayburt, which was once part of the ancient Silk Road trade route between China and Europe.
This road is an important route for local traffic, and due to the loose surface, often bad weather, and numerous other dangers, great care and patience are needed to pass it without consequences.
MORE TOPICS:
“THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE”: Donald Trump under fire for swearing in a post threatening Iran!
Source: N1; Photo: RINA