Highway 31 Fatalities: The Dangers of Speeding and Hills in East Texas
If you've spent any time in East Texas, you've heard the local legends. Some, like Bigfoot making his winter home near Longview or the claim that the hamburger was invented in Athens, are long shots at best. But others are 100% true, like the harrowing, decades-old legend of "Bloody 31."
The "Death Valley" Stretch
"Bloody 31," or sometimes called "Death Valley," is a terrifying nickname given to a specific, 18-mile stretch of Highway 31 that runs between Kilgore and Tyler, Texas. Unfortunately, the moniker is deadly accurate, rooted in a perfect storm of history, geography, and reckless behavior.
History: The Booze Run Begins
Decades ago, Tyler was a "dry" county, forcing thirsty residents to drive to the county line to purchase alcohol. The closest viable spot was where Rusk and Smith counties meet.
This single spot became the unlikely location for a cluster of bars, strip clubs, and liquor stores that appeared overnight to meet the demand of Tylerites. This created a steady, high-speed flow of traffic, much of it impaired, resulting in countless traffic fatalities and giving the road its grim reputation.
The Other Deadly Threats on Highway 31
While impaired driving remains a major contributor to accidents, it is not the only threat on this notorious road. Highway 31 is relatively straight outside of town, making it a favorite for street racers and speed demons looking to push their vehicles to the limit.
What the road lacks in tight curves, it makes up for in dangerous hills. Most notably, the county line itself sits right atop a major hill. When a reckless driver tops that hill at high speed, they have almost zero time to react to a turning or stopped vehicle on the other side. This critical lack of visibility has led to many fatal, high-impact accidents over the years.
Is The Legend Fading?
Year after year, "Bloody 31" continues to rank as one of the deadliest roads in Texas. If you Google the name, your search results will fill with decades of stories detailing mayhem and destruction.
However, there is a silver lining: as road work and safety improvements are made to the stretch, fatalities are slowly starting to drop. If we’re lucky, maybe "Bloody 31" will eventually become one of those old East Texas urban myths that nobody will believe in a few decades. Until then, drive safely, especially if your holiday travels take you through this deadly highway.