PHOENIX — There were 1,307 traffic fatalities reported in Arizona in 2023, making 2023 the year with the second-highest annual fatality total ever recorded in Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Transportation released its annual annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report on July 12. The report is a compilation of traffic crash reports provided by law enforcement agencies around the state and reflects reported crash data for all Arizona roadways, including city streets, county roads, reservation roads and state highways.
“Every fatality represents someone’s loved one,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said in a news release. “We need everyone using the roads to work together to reduce these preventable crashes, and we’re working with partners around the state on safety strategies to help meet ADOT’s vision of safely connecting people.”
Decreased fatalities, increase in crashes
From 2022 to 2023, there was a slight decrease in traffic fatalities: less than 1%, to be exact. In 2022, 1,320 traffic fatalities were recorded. In 2023, 13 fewer were recorded.
However, the total number of crashes recorded in 2023 is 1.6% higher than the total number of crashes recorded in 2022: there were 122,247 crashes recorded in 2023 and 120,356 recorded in 2022.
What does that mean for the average Arizona driver? ADOT says while fatalities decreased, fatalities are still close to all-time highs, and the data shows that factors such as impairment, failure to wear seat belts, and speed overwhelmingly impacted crashes and fatalities.
Speed determined by law enforcement to be unlawful or too fast for conditions was reported in crashes that resulted in 446 fatalities and 20,682 injuries during 2023.
That means speed was a factor in over 34% of fatalities and over 38% of injuries in 2022. During 2022, speed was a factor in 436 fatalities and 20,137 injuries, ADOT said.
Over the past four years, the number of alcohol-related fatalities has also increased. In 2023, 332 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic incidents, which accounts for over 25% of all fatalities throughout the year.
"Everyone expects to come home when they leave their house,” Jesse Torrez, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said in a news release. "Speed, distracted driving along with helmet and seat belt usage are a conscious choice. All of these choices can save lives. We have to remind ourselves and others to take a moment and think about home."
Twenty year high
There were 258 motorcyclist fatalities in crashes during 2023: the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities reported in Arizona in at least 20 years, ADOT said.
That number is also an 11.2% increase from 232 during 2022.
ADOT said in a news release that there are more motorcyclists than ever on Arizona’s roads and that does impact the number of fatalities. Since 2019, Arizona has seen a 33% increase in motorcycle registrations, going from 209,719 to 279,569.
To view the full report, click here, or see the embed below.
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