ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL — That 18- to 20-mile stretch of I-95 in St. Johns County, the one between County Road 210 and State Road 207 that feels like a highway to the great beyond? Turns out it’s not the road that's trying to get you, it’s you. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) recently confirmed what locals have long suspected: this isn't a Bermuda Triangle for cars, it's a petri dish for driver distraction and fatigue.

Since January 2023 through this April, a staggering 998 crashes have graced this particular stretch of asphalt, leaving behind 14 deaths and 34 critical injuries. That’s roughly 25 fender-benders, pile-ups, and existential crises per month, just to give you something to chew on during your commute. Meanwhile, the slightly less dramatic section from Old St. Augustine Road to CR 210 saw a mere 548 crashes.

FHP Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan patiently explained that while theories range from sun glare to wind shifts to questionable road design, "in-depth reviews haven't found any issues with the roadway." The road, apparently, is on par. The problem, Bryan said, is with the meat-sacks operating the multi-ton vehicles. Specifically, "driver fatigue or driver distraction really kind of takes over," especially with those long, straight, mind-numbing distances between exits.

So, as you white-knuckle it between the Duval County line and State Road 207, remember: FHP, along with local law enforcement, has increased patrols. They’re seeing a "slow downtick" in crashes, although viewer Troy Bowen, who dubbed this stretch the "Bermuda Triangle of 95," wisely noted that "we’re not through the vacation months yet." So, pack snacks, charge your phone (then put it away), and try not to become another statistic in the world's most expensive real-time driver's ed course.