Jared | August 10, 2023 | Car Accidents

The Most Dangerous Roads In Arizona

Arizona is one of the most scenic states in America. While beautiful, its roads can be incredibly dangerous. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 910 fatal motor vehicle accidents occur on average every year in Arizona. Last week, Channel 12 reported that a total of 943 people have died on Arizona roads this year. Arizona motor vehicle crash data from the department of transportation shows that deaths have gradually increased every year in the state. In this article, we’ll discuss the roads on which the most fatalities in Arizona happen.

If you have been injured in an accident on one of these roads, call our Arizona accident lawyers today. You can schedule a free initial consultation with us, and we will review the facts of your case to advise you of your available legal options. Give us a call or fill out our convenient contact form online. 

Dangerous Arizona Interstates

The level of traffic on interstates significantly contributes to the number of car accidents that happen. From tourists to commuters and everyone in between, at some point, most people will take an interstate to get from point A to B. The prevalence of big truck accidents on Arizona interstates is particularly dangerous. When big trucks are involved, the potential for fatalities increases. Here are the most dangerous interstates in AZ:

Heavy freight corridors are also a factor, and load shift crashes on I-10 and the Stack Interchange appear disproportionately in Maricopa County crash data.

Long stretches of Arizona interstate make drowsy commercial drivers on I-10 and I-17 a recurring hazard, especially where traffic slows suddenly and a fatigued trucker misses the queue.

Few stretches of freeway generate more rear-end and multi-vehicle crashes than the I-10 Broadway Curve through Tempe, where daily commute volume meets constant lane shifts.

Corridors like Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 Pima Freeway show up repeatedly in crash data, and we break down the specific intersection patterns on our Scottsdale page.

Arizona’s most dangerous corridors get exponentially worse when monsoon dust storms and flash floods hit, turning stretches of I-10 and I-17 into chain-reaction collision zones every summer.

These same corridors show up repeatedly in serious motorcycle wrecks, and riders hurt in a Phoenix motorcycle crash on I-17 or Loop 101 face a very different claims process than car occupants.

Many of these stretches see chronic high-speed driving, which is why understanding fault and damages in a Phoenix speeding accident matters before you talk to an adjuster.

For related guidance, see our highway accidents in Phoenix.

The I-10 corridor and Loop 101 show up repeatedly in ADOT crash data, and work-zone crashes on the Broadway Curve and Loop 101 widening segments are a recurring fact pattern we see in Phoenix files.

Many of the wrecks on these stretches are single-vehicle rollovers and run-off-road crashes, especially on the curves of Loop 101 and SR-51 where speed and roadway design both play a role.

Many of these corridors see frequent side-impact crashes at Phoenix intersections, particularly where high-speed surface streets meet freeway interchanges like the Stack and Mini-Stack.

For related guidance, see our distracted driving wrecks on Phoenix freeways.

These same corridors show up repeatedly in I-10 and Loop 101 pileup accidents in Phoenix, where high speeds and lane-drop weaving turn one wreck into a chain reaction.

For related guidance, see our Arizona’s lane filtering law.

For related guidance, see our wrongful death claim after a Phoenix car accident.

For related guidance, see our lane-splitting accidents on Phoenix streets.

For related guidance, see our Phoenix crosswalk accident lawyer.

For related guidance, see our tractor-trailer wrecks at the Stack and Mini-Stack interchanges.

Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway wrecks through Peoria are among the most frequently reported interstate crashes in the region.

Wrong-way driving is a leading cause of Phoenix head-on collisions on I-17 and Loop 101, making these corridors among the most hazardous stretches in the state.

  • Interstate-10: This interstate is the only highway or interstate that made the top ten analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data recently reported by Channel 12. The other roads were streets in Phoenix (see below).
  • Interstate-17: From Phoenix to Flagstaff, this road has high elevation and can get pretty icy in the winter. 
  • Interstate-19: While I-19 isn’t significantly lengthy, it is quite dangerous. In fact, it’s been featured as one of the top 40 of America’s 100 deadliest roads.
  • Interstate-40: 359 miles of this lengthy thoroughfare that connects California to North Carolina is located in Arizona. Incidentally, I-40 is among the most dangerous roadways in each state that it crosses. 

Dangerous Highways In Arizona

Highways in Arizona can be equally as dangerous as the interstates. Here are the deadliest highways that cross through the state:

For a closer look at Mesa’s US-60 and Loop 202 corridors, which rank among the state’s most crash-prone highway stretches, see our dedicated Mesa resource.

The same dangerous intersections also produce a high number of left-turn crashes involving Phoenix motorcyclists, where a driver fails to yield to an oncoming bike.

Drivers in the Valley should also review the Phoenix-specific high injury network to understand which local corridors produce the most severe-injury crashes.

  • US Highway 93: This highway is fairly rural, spanning 200 miles connecting Phoenix and Las Vegas. Because it’s rural, excessive speeding is often a cause of crashes on this road. Its isolation also increases the time it takes emergency services to get to accident scenes.
  • State Highway 87 (“Beeline Highway”): This scenic highway is incredibly curvy, making it a difficult drive, especially for larger vehicles, like commercial trucks. Click here for more information about big truck accidents by our commercial truck accident lawyers. 
  • State Route 64: A big problem on Route 64 is high speed mixed with the number of large trucks on the road. The average speed traveled on this road is 80mph. Additionally, many travelers are tourists headed to the Grand Canyon and are unfamiliar with the road and area. 

Other Dangerous Roads In Phoenix, AZ

While Arizona highways and interstates can be significantly dangerous, some of the most dangerous roads in the state are actually streets within Phoenix. The following data was reported by Channel 12 and derived from data gathered by the NHTSA. Here are the most dangerous streets in Phoenix, AZ: 

For a closer look at city-level data, see our detailed guide to the most dangerous roads and intersections in Phoenix.

Cyclists struck on these streets should speak with a Phoenix bicycle accident lawyer before providing any statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer.

  1. 43rd Avenue from Lamar Road to McDowell Road
  2. Indian School Road from 53rd Avenue to 91st Avenue
  3. Indian School Road from 40th Avenue to Third Street
  4. McDowell Road from Scottsdale Road to 36th Street
  5. 19th Avenue from Shangri-La Road to Union Hills Drive
  6. Northern Avenue from 19th Avenue to 56th Avenue
  7. Bell Road from 26th Street to 23rd Avenue
  8. Bethany Home Road from 35th Avenue to 12th Place
  9. Thomas Road from 71st Avenue to 37th Avenue

Some common causes of these AZ crashes were speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving. As reported by Channel 12, speeding contributed to about 31% of deadly accidents on these roads. Drunk driving played a role in 22% of fatal accidents, and distracted driving was a factor in about 10% of the accidents.

DUI crashes on Loop 101 and I-10 are particularly common late at night, when impaired drivers account for a disproportionate share of fatal collisions on these corridors.

If an impaired driver caused your crash on one of these corridors, Arizona law may allow punitive damages beyond standard compensation.

Tips For Driving Safely On Arizona Roads

Staying safe on AZ roads means being alert and cautious. Be prepared and pay attention to your surroundings when driving, especially on particularly dangerous roads, like some of the scenic routes in the state. Some tips for staying safe on the roads are:

  1. Don’t drink and drive – Alcohol is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. Avoid driving under the influence. At worst you may cause someone’s death, at best you may walk away with a DWI on your record.  
  2. Drink responsibly – Alcohol is also a large cause of the pedestrian-related accidents discussed above. Make sure you watch your surroundings, especially when crossing the street. 
  3. Don’t drive while distracted – Distracted driving causes a large number of crashes each year, including commercial truck accidents. Don’t mess with your radio or touch your phone while you’re behind the wheel.
  4. Wear your seatbelt – Seatbelts truly save lives. Buckling up could save you a world of pain.
  5. Be aware of your surroundings – This cannot be said enough. While driving, always know what other drivers around you are doing. Watch the roads for potholes, parked vehicles, and wildlife. 
  6. Follow the rules of the road – Laws are in place to keep you safe. Don’t use excessive speed, run red lights, ignore stop signs, etc. You have a duty to adhere to the law while behind the wheel, and failure to do so may result in severe legal consequences. 

When To Hire An Accident Lawyer In Arizona

Most car accidents are preventable. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t stop them from happening. If you’ve been in an accident, consulting an Arizona accident lawyer is a good call. At Impact Legal Car Accident Attorneys, we offer remote or in-person free consultations where we will review your case and outline any legal options that may be available to you. To set up your free consultation, call or fill out our convenient online form here. 

From car accidents to truck accidents and motorcycle accidents, Impact Legal Car Accident Attorneys’ experience and trusted injury lawyers will make sure your voice is heard so you have a chance to heal and recover. For more information see the following pages: 

We serve Maricopa County and Arizona’s surrounding areas.

Impact Legal Car Accident Attorneys
16202 N Cave Creek Rd Suite D, Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 345 -1818

Written by Jared

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