PHOENIX – Traffic fatalities on Arizona’s local roads and state highways climbed higher for the second straight year and driver behavior continues to be a leading factor in motor vehicle collisions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report.

In 2016, 962 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, 65 more than the year before, representing a 7.3 percent increase. The number of collisions also went up, rising 8.6 percent to 126,845. The increases in motor vehicle crashes and fatalities in Arizona follow national trends.

The Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is a compilation of traffic crash reports provided to ADOT by law enforcement agencies around the state. A glance at the report reveals how better decisions made by motorists can save lives. Seat belts, speeding and reckless driving, and impairment are among the leading factors in traffic fatalities:

• Buckle up – 250 of those killed last year weren’t using a seat belt.
• Pay attention and obey speed limits – Speeding too fast for conditions is the most common driver violation and rear end is the most common manner of collision.
• Don’t drive impaired – Annually, impaired driving crashes account for about 4 percent of all collisions and one-third of fatal collisions. Crashes involving impairment related to alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication killed 406 people and injured 4,089 in 2016.

“Making travel safer begins before drivers turn the ignition,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Too many people make the deadly decision to drive impaired, whether by alcohol, prescription pills or other drugs, and put all of us at risk. None of us should accept this selfish behavior and it’s everyone's business to stop impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.”

For the second year in a row, 406 people were killed in impaired driving-related collisions. However, alcohol-related fatalities decreased – falling from 329 people killed in 2015 to 307 in 2016 – while fatalities related to illegal drugs or prescription medication increased – rising from 77 in 2015 to 99 people killed in 2016.

“The gains made in reducing alcohol-related crashes and fatalities are steps in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Driving impaired is a choice and people need to be aware that it’s a choice they don’t have to make – there are many other ways to get home safely.”

The highest annual number of motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona – 1,301 – occurred in 2006. While collisions and fatalities have risen in recent years, 2016 totals are below where they were a decade ago, despite having nearly one million more licensed drivers and registered vehicles traveling today on Arizona’s roadways than in 2007.

“Impaired drivers continue to take the lives of our love ones and it is time for the community to spread the message that impaired driving is unacceptable,” said Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “I call on every driver to call 911 if impaired driving is suspected. Friends and family members must make every effort to take the keys away from impaired individuals or to call 911 for help when intervening.”

Pedestrian-involved crashes and fatalities spiked in 2016. The number of pedestrians killed rose to 197 in 2016 from 163 the year before and crashes increased by 16 percent, from 1,408 in 2015 to 1,637 last year.

The number of motorcycle operators and passengers killed in traffic crashes went up in 2016 to 144 from 134 the year before.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, noted the decline in the number of fatalities involving people who weren’t using seat belts, which fell from 258 in 2015 to 250 last year.

“While we’re encouraged to see a decrease, one death is still too many,” said Dr. Christ. “Make sure everyone is buckled up every time, regardless of how far, fast or familiar your drive may be.”

Here are other figures from the 2016 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report:

• 574 fatal crashes occurred on other roadways, such as county roads or city streets, and 291 fatal crashes occurred on the state highway system.
• 525 fatalities occurred in urban areas and 437 deaths occurred in rural areas.
• Of all alcohol-related crashes, 78.8 percent occurred in urban areas and 21.2 percent in rural areas.
• Among fatal crashes related to alcohol, 67 percent occurred in urban areas and 33 percent occurred in rural areas.
• One person was killed in a motor vehicle crash every 9.11 hours.
• Seven in 10 crashes occurred during daylight hours.
• More crashes occurred in March than any other month with 11,391.
• Friday was the peak day of the week for all crashes during 2016 with 22,133, while the most fatal crashes – 150 – occurred on Saturdays.

The ADOT 2016 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is available at azdot.gov/CrashFacts.

ADOT, other public safety agencies and partner organizations work to promote safety on all roadways through the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a framework for reducing motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries. Emphasis areas addressed in the report include speeding and reckless driving, impaired driving, occupant protection, motorcycle safety and distracted driving.

PHOENIX ‒ Crash data the Arizona Department of Transportation compiles from agencies around the state is invaluable for law enforcement, researchers and others examining trends behind fatalities and injuries on all state roadways.

A $354,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will enable ADOT to get more agencies using an online system for submitting crash data, and help ADOT staff keep the data and its systems for collecting it up to date.

It follows previous Governor's Office of Highway Safety grants aimed at upgrading what had been a cumbersome process of manually reviewing volumes of documents sent by law enforcement agencies around the state and then entering them in a database.

"Improving our state's ability to identify trends in motor vehicle crashes helps make Arizona safer for everyone," ADOT Director John Halikowski said. "Support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety helps ADOT and its partners work toward a goal of zero deaths on our roads."

ADOT is responsible under state law for compiling crash data and creating comprehensive reports that government agencies, nonprofit groups and other entities statewide use to improve traffic safety. That includes annual Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts reports.

The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. The cabinet agency provides leadership by developing, promoting and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety.

For more information about the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, please visit: azgohs.gov.

PHOENIX – Motor vehicle crashes on local roads and highways across the state claimed the lives of 895 people in 2015, 121 more than the year before, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report. 

The statistical report summing up data provided by law enforcement agencies around the state provides some sobering information about motor vehicle crashes last year, including the 15.6 percent increase in fatalities, compared to 774 deaths that occurred in 2014. The highest annual number of motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona – 1,301 – occurred in 2006.

The numbers highlight how better decisions can save lives when it comes to the following factors, some of which can apply to the same crashes:

• 313 of those killed last year weren’t using a seat belt, child safety device or helmet, which represents a 17.7 percent increase from 2014.
• 300 of those killed were involved in crashes related to exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions, a 25.5 percent increase from 2014.
• 295 of those killed were involved in alcohol-related crashes, a 9.7 percent increase from 2014.

“One death will always be too many, and there are things all drivers can do to reduce the number of crash deaths, starting with buckling up, obeying speed limits and reducing speed when conditions warrant,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said.

“When you are behind the wheel, job number one is driving – not looking at your phone, not reading, not personal grooming, not anything that takes your attention away from the road. It is dangerous and disrespectful for everyone sharing the road with you. Just drive!” said Halikowski.

Total crashes in the state rose to 116,609 in 2015 from 109,664 the year before. Total injuries rose as well, with 53,554 in 2015 compared to 50,988 in 2014.

After falling every year since 2011, alcohol-related crashes rose slightly to 4,941 in 2015 from 4,906 the year before, while the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes rose to 295 last year from 269 in 2014. According to the Crash Facts report, 16.2 percent of drivers in fatal crashes last year had been drinking, while 4.8 percent of drivers in fatal crashes appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

“It’s tragic and frustrating to see increases in fatalities involving impaired driving,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “We’ll never stop efforts to get people to do the right thing, including arranging for a designated driver. And we’ll fully back law enforcement and their dedication to getting impaired drivers off the road.”

Speed and aggressive driving remained key factors contributing to crashes, with 17 percent of drivers in fatal crashes going too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit. The report also shows 38 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were going too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit.

“Without a doubt, the number of crash fatalities would be dramatically reduced if more drivers would slow down and obey speed limits,” said Colonel Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “Our troopers are focused on stopping aggressive speeders. Changing bad driving behaviors is a key to highway safety.”

Motorcycle fatalities in Arizona rose to 134 in 2015 from 128 the year before. Twenty-nine bicyclists died in crashes during 2015, the same number as the year before, though the number of crashes involving bicycles fell to 1,434 last year from 1,744 in 2014.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, also noted the increase in the number of fatalities involving people who weren’t using seat belts or other safety devices, which rose from 266 in 2014 to 313 last year.

“Accidents happen when we least expect it,” said Dr. Christ. “These numbers show how important it is to make sure you and all your passengers are buckled in properly to reduce the risk of serious injury or worse.”

The number of pedestrians killed in crashes rose to 161 in 2015 from 155 the year before, though crashes involving pedestrians declined to 1,399 from 1,565 in 2014.

Here are other figures from the 2015 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report:

• One person was killed in a motor vehicle crash every 9.79 hours.
• 471 fatalities occurred in urban areas and 424 deaths occurred in rural areas.
• Of all alcohol-related crashes, 77.9 percent occurred in urban areas and 22.1 percent in rural areas.
• Among fatal crashes related to alcohol, 56.4 percent occurred in urban areas and 43.6 occurred in rural areas.
• Nearly three-quarters of all crashes occurred during daylight hours.
• Friday was the peak day of the week for all crashes during 2015 with 19,971, while the most fatal crashes – 154 – occurred on Saturdays.
• Thanksgiving was the deadliest holiday weekend last year, with 16 motor-vehicle fatalities.
• Motor vehicle crashes resulted in $3.82 billion in economic losses for Arizona last year.

The ADOT 2015 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is available at azdot.gov/CrashFacts. 

ADOT, other public safety agencies and partner organizations work to promote safety on all roadways through the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a framework for reducing motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries. Emphasis areas addressed in the report include speeding and aggressive driving, impaired driving, occupant protection, motorcycle safety and distracted driving.

PHOENIX – The figures remain preliminary, but it’s already clear that motor-vehicle crash fatalities on Arizona roadways increased in 2015 – and that speeding, impaired driving and failure to use seat belts and other restraints contributed significantly.

At present, the Arizona Department of Transportation is reporting 891 motor-vehicle crash fatalities for 2015. That number, which is incomplete while ADOT collects reports from law enforcement entities around the state, surpasses the 773 fatalities in motor-vehicle crashes during 2014.

Data through September 2015 show that speeding, impaired driving and failure to use seat belts and other restraints were each factors in more than a third of motor-vehicle crash fatalities.

The increase in fatalities has leaders of state agencies that look after the safety of motorists calling for Arizonans to reflect on how they act in the driver’s seat.

“We often talk about the E’s of traffic safety, including engineering, education and enforcement,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “But another E is equally important, and that is everyone. For Arizona to move toward our goal of zero fatalities, everyone must think about their responsibility to others when they get behind the wheel.”

ADOT collaborates with stakeholder groups and other agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Health Services, to set and work toward goals in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (azdot.gov/shsp), a comprehensive framework for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on all public roadways. Emphasis areas include speeding and aggressive driving, impaired driving, occupant protection and motorcycle safety.

“A significant cause of fatal crashes in Arizona, in addition to impairment and failing to use seat belts, is speed, unsafe lane changes and following too close,” said Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “Aggressive driving is a crime and puts everyone on the road at risk. If you see it, report it.”

Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said it’s especially important for drivers to understand how poor decisions can end in tragedy.

“Alcohol is involved in more than a third of the fatal crashes across the state,” Gutier said. “Everyone should be aware of just how devastating impaired driving is in this state, and those who put innocent lives at risk by doing so should be prepared to face the consequences.”

“It’s important to securely buckle up all of your passengers,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “Creating a healthy environment inside your vehicle includes the use of seat belts and zero distractions. That email or text can wait.”

A final number for 2015 fatalities will be available when ADOT publishes its annual Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report later this year.

The highest annual number of motor-vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona occurred in 2006, with 1,301 on highways and local roads. In the five years preceding 2015, the toll was 773 in 2014, 844 in 2013, 831 in 2012, 754 in 2011 and 762 in 2010.

PHOENIX – Grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are enabling the Arizona Department of Transportation to improve collection of crash data from law enforcement agencies around the state.

Grants of $508,600 for federal fiscal year 2015 and $106,000 for federal fiscal year 2016 continue to address what had been a cumbersome process of manually reviewing volumes of documents received and then entering them in a database. ADOT is responsible under state law for compiling crash data and creating comprehensive reports from it that government agencies, nonprofit groups and other entities statewide use to improve traffic safety.

The grant funding is allowing ADOT to help more agencies make use of an online system for submitting crash data.

“The grant awards received from the GOHS supports ADOT’s initiative to improve the process of collecting crash data,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT is proud to be at the forefront through the use of technology to process the crash data received from reporting law enforcement agencies and create vital reports that become the source for making Arizona streets and highways safer.”

The first grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety directly supports work performed by the ADOT Traffic Records Unit to develop reports from the crash data. The second further supports the agency’s electronic reporting efforts.

“Being partners with ADOT and other agencies in state government produces results that can be used to coordinate highway safety programs throughout Arizona and is a model of cooperation in this administration,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. The cabinet agency provides leadership by developing, promoting and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety.

For more information about the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, please visit: https://gohs.az.gov/.

PHOENIX – The number of deaths in motor-vehicle crashes across the state dropped by nearly 9 percent in 2014, according to annual statistics released by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

An analysis of law enforcement reports on crashes shows 774 people were killed last year on state and local highways and streets, compared to 849 fatalities in 2013, according to ADOT’s 2014 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts.

The highest annual number of motor-vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona – 1,301 – occurred in 2006.

“While it is encouraging to see a reduction in crash fatalities, all drivers in our state need to focus on the safe behaviors that will keep us moving toward an ultimate goal of zero fatalities,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “The key to having fewer tragic deaths is for all of us to do the smart things, such as buckling up, obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions and never driving while impaired. That would make a remarkable difference.”

The most-common driver violation cited in law enforcement crash reports was “speed too fast for conditions.”

Annual figures also show fewer motorcycle riders or passengers died in Arizona last year. ADOT's report shows 127 motorcycle-related deaths in 2014, compared to 149 fatalities in 2013 and 139 such deaths in 2012.

The annual report shows 28 bicyclists were killed last year, compared to 29 in 2013 and 18 in 2012. Pedestrian deaths also were down just slightly, from 160 in 2013 to 157 in 2014. 

While fatal crashes and deaths went down last year, the report shows an increase in all crashes.  A total of 109,554 crashes occurred across Arizona in 2014, an increase of almost 2 percent compared to 2013 (107,477 crashes). There were 708 fatal crashes in the state last year, compared to 782 in 2013.

“The drop in fatal collisions was positive, but sadly, there are 774 people who did not go home to their families last year,” said Colonel Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

“The DPS family, in partnership with ADOT and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, will continue to stress the need for drivers to avoid distractions while also asking the public to help in efforts to keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. We all have a responsibility to strictly obey our state's traffic laws,” said Milstead.

A downward trend in alcohol-related fatalities continued last year, with a 6 percent drop. There were 265 alcohol-related deaths on the state’s roads in 2014, compared to 282 in 2013 and 283 in 2012.

The total number of reported alcohol-related crashes was down from 5,239 in 2013 to 4,887 in 2014. Sadly, alcohol was involved in more than a third (34 percent) of all fatal crashes.

“I need to laud the efforts of law enforcement agencies across the state to take impaired drivers off the road,” said Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Alberto Gutier. “We continue to drive home our message – Drive Hammered, Get Nailed. If you can take someone’s keys away or arrange for a designated driver, you could be a lifesaver.”

Here are other figures from the 2014 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report:

• One person was killed in a motor-vehicle crash every 11.33 hours in 2014 (average of 2.12 people killed each day).
• At least 266 (34 percent) of the 774 people killed in motor-vehicle crashes 2014 were not wearing safety devices, including seat belts and helmets.
• Urban-area fatalities (397 deaths) decreased more than 10 percent last year (compared to 442 in 2013).
• Rural-area fatalities (377 deaths) decreased by more than 7 percent last year (compared to 407 in 2013).
• Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 17 percent of all crashes but also 37 percent of all fatal crashes.
• Crashes during daylight hours (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.) accounted for 72.5 percent of all crashes in 2014, nearly the same as in 2013.
• Friday was the peak day of the week for all crashes during 2014 (18,759 crashes).
• The Thanksgiving weekend was the deadliest holiday weekend on Arizona roadways last year (18 deaths). Nine people were killed in crashes over the July Fourth holiday weekend in 2014.
• Motor-vehicle crashes resulted in $3.02 billion in economic losses for Arizona last year. 

The ADOT 2014 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is available at: azdot.gov/crashfacts.

Last year, ADOT and other public safety agencies completed an update of Arizona’s State Highway Safety Plan, a framework for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads in the state. Emphasis areas addressed in the report are speeding and aggressive driving, impaired driving, occupant protection, motorcycle safety and distracted driving.

PHOENIX – The number of deaths in motor-vehicle crashes across the state rose by 2.8 percent in 2013, according to annual statistics released by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

An analysis of law enforcement reports on crashes shows 844 people were killed last year on state and local highways and streets, compared to 821 fatalities in 2012. The highest annual number of motor-vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona – 1,301 – occurred in 2006.

ADOT’s 2013 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report lists a total of 107,348 crashes across Arizona in 2013, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to 2012 (103,909 crashes).

“Every driver holds the key to reducing crashes and saving lives,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Our coalition of state, federal and local agencies will complete an updated Strategic Highway Safety Plan this summer to guide us in our continuing efforts to reduce the number and severity of crashes on all of Arizona’s public roadways.”

In late 2012, public safety agencies began to update the state’s highway safety plan, which was first adopted in 2007.

Fatal-crash categories with increases in 2013 included pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. Last year 158 pedestrians were killed, compared to 131 pedestrian fatalities in 2012 and 154 in 2011. Nearly 10 percent of all crashes involving pedestrians were fatal.

Meanwhile, 30 bicyclists were killed last year, compared to 18 in 2012 and 23 in 2011.

Annual figures also show 149 motorcycle riders or passengers died in Arizona last year, compared to 139 motorcycle-related deaths in 2012 and 132 in 2011.

Alcohol-related fatalities dropped by more than 7 percent last year compared to 2012. In 2013, 262 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. There were 283 such deaths in 2012 and 287 in 2011.

The total number of reported alcohol-related crashes was down from 5,460 in 2012 to 5,190 in 2013.

“The decrease in alcohol-related crashes and deaths is welcome news but doesn’t change our mission to stop impaired driving,” said Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Alberto Gutier. “Whether it’s our tougher laws, stepped up law enforcement or public awareness campaigns, we have to keep up the battle because nearly a third of the fatal crashes in the state last year were alcohol-related.”

As in past years, the most common driver violation cited by law enforcement officers was “speed too fast for conditions.”

Here are other figures from the 2013 Arizona Crash Facts report:

• One person was killed in a motor-vehicle crash every 10.39 hours (average of 2.31 people killed each day).
• 299 of the 844 people killed in motor-vehicle crashes were not wearing safety devices, including seat belts and helmets.
• Urban-area fatalities (443 deaths) increased more than 12 percent last year (compared to 394 in 2012).
• Rural-area fatalities (401 deaths) decreased by 6 percent last year (compared to 427 in 2012).
• Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 17.75 percent of all crashes but also 39 percent of all fatal crashes.
• Crashes during daylight hours (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.) accounted for 73 percent of all crashes.
• Friday was the peak day of the week for all crashes during 2013, while November 22 was the peak date for all crashes (737 crashes).
• Motor-vehicle crashes resulted in $2.99 billion in economic losses for Arizona. 

The ADOT 2013 Arizona Crash Facts report is available online.