Arizona traffic deaths drop from 2022, but number still remains too high for loved ones

The ADOT compiles this report from law enforcement crash reports covering all state roadways.

PUBLISHED JUL 13, 2024

Traffic fatalities in Arizona are still near all-time highs.

Phoenix, Arizona: The latest Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Crash Facts report is out and it show speed, impairment remain as leading factors in fatal, serious crashes. Traffic fatalities in Arizona decreased slightly in 2023 but are still near all-time highs, according to the state’s annual report on motor vehicle crashes on all roads, including local streets. The ADOT compiles this report from law enforcement crash reports covering all state roadways.

Here are 9 things you need to know about the report

1) Slight Decrease in Traffic Fatalities: Traffic fatalities in Arizona decreased by 0.98% in 2023 compared to 2022, totaling 1,307 deaths.

2) Leading Causes of Crashes: Alcohol impairment and inappropriate speed or speeding remain leading causes of traffic deaths and injuries.

3) Reduction in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities: Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 12.3%, and bicyclist fatalities dropped by 10.2% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

$79,000 was recovered for a semitrailer fire that burned the asphalt on the Beeline Highway in 2023. (Photo Albin Berlin)

4) Second-Highest Annual Fatality Total: Despite improvements, 2023 marked the second-highest annual traffic fatalities in Arizona, slightly behind 2022’s 1,320 deaths.

5) Increase in Total Crashes: Total crashes increased by 1.6% in 2023, with 122,247 crashes compared to 120,356 in 2022.

6) Driver Behavior as Primary Cause: Crashes and fatalities are mainly driven by driver behavior, including speed, impairment, and failure to use seat belts.

7) Disparity in Fatalities by Road Type: More fatalities occurred on local roads (828) than state highways (479), and urban areas saw nearly twice as many fatalities (853) as rural areas (454).

Nationwide traffic deaths fell 3.6% last year, but still, almost 41,000 people were killed on US roadways. (Source: NHTSA, FARS ARF)

8) Impact of Speed in Crashes: Speed was a factor in 34.1% of fatalities and 38.2% of injuries, with 446 fatalities and 20,682 injuries due to speed-related crashes in 2023.

9) Alcohol-Related Fatalities: Alcohol-related fatalities have risen over the past four years, with 332 deaths in 2023, accounting for 25.4% of all traffic fatalities. Most of these crashes involve male drivers (72.7%) and occur on weekends and at night.

Nationwide, the Associated Press, reported that traffic deaths fell 3.6% last year, but still, almost 41,000 people were killed on the nation’s roadways, according to full-year estimates by safety regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also released final numbers for 2022 on Monday, saying that 42,514 people died in crashes.