• 2024 Preliminary Data: The first nine months of 2024 show 936 traffic deaths—a 1.2% decrease from the 947 fatalities during the same period in 2023.

Leading Causes of Crashes

The primary factors contributing to Arizona’s traffic crashes include:

1. Speeding: A major contributor to fatal crashes, causing 446 deaths in 2023. Speed was involved in 34.1% of all traffic fatalities.

2. Lane Departure Crashes: Accounted for 823 deaths in 2023, often tied to distracted or impaired driving.

3. Alcohol-Impaired Driving: Involved in 25.73% of fatal crashes in 2023. Arizona has seen an increase in alcohol-related fatalities for the fourth consecutive year.

4. Distracted Driving: At least 8,657 drivers involved in collisions in 2023 were engaged in distracted driving behaviors, with 62 involved in fatal crashes.

Official Resources for Arizona Traffic Safety

• Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)

  • Crash Statistics: https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/statistics/arizona-motor-vehicle-crash-facts
  • Traffic Safety: https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/arizona-strategic-highway-safety-plan

• Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

  • Data and Statistics: https://gohs.az.gov/programs/data-and-statistics
  • Safety Programs: https://gohs.az.gov/programs

• City of Phoenix

  • Vision Zero Phoenix: https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/visionzero
  • Traffic Safety Resources: https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/safety

Geographic Distribution of Crashes

• Maricopa County: Leads the state in crash statistics
• Phoenix: Recorded 36,927 total crashes in 2023, including 298 fatal collisions and nearly 15,000 reported injuries
  • This averages to more than 101 crashes per day in Phoenix alone
  • Nearly one person killed per day
  • Around 41 people injured daily

Vulnerable Road Users

• Pedestrians: 40% of pedestrian crashes were fatal in 2023, though pedestrian fatalities decreased by 12.3% compared to 2022
• Cyclists: 78% of bicycle crashes ended in fatalities, though bicyclist fatalities decreased by 10.2% from 2022
• Motorcyclists: Motorcycle fatalities reached their highest point in at least 20 years in 2023, totaling 258 deaths (an 11.2% increase from 2022)

Safety Programs and Initiatives

• Arizona’s Safety Corridor Program: ADOT designates high-risk sections of highways for enhanced enforcement and education
• Phoenix’s Road Safety Action Plan: Aims to eliminate traffic fatalities through engineering, education, and enforcement
• Be Alert Arizona: A statewide campaign focused on reducing distracted driving

Location Factors

• More traffic fatalities occurred on local roads (828) than on state highways (479) in 2023
• Urban areas saw nearly twice as many fatalities as rural areas

For more detailed information and statistics, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report and the City of Phoenix’s Vision Zero initiative website.

Official Resources

For comprehensive statistics and more detailed information about traffic safety in Arizona, visit these resources:

1. Auto Accident Guide for Phoenix Victims – Information on resources and statistics for Phoenix-area accidents
2. Arizona Department of Transportation Crash Facts – Official ADOT database of annual crash statistics dating back to 1997
3. GLG Catastrophic Injury Information – Resources on severe injuries resulting from Arizona traffic accidents

These statistics highlight the ongoing need for improved road safety measures, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and continued public education about the dangers of speeding, impaired driving, and distraction behind the wheel.