A new report from the Arizona Department of Transportation finds that despite a noticeable drop in traffic volume during 2020 due to the pandemic, the total number of traffic fatalities rose to their highest level in 12 years.
The Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report published Thursday showed that the number of motorists killed in traffic collisions rose from 980 in 2019 to 1,057 in 2020, even though the number of crashes fell to under 100,000 for the first time since 1993. The report also showed that Arizonans traveled nearly 7 percent less in 2020 – nearly 5 billion fewer miles than in 2019.
“In 2020, 98,778 motor vehicle crashes killed 1,057 people and left 41,350 people injured. Poor decisions made by drivers – speeding, impairment, reckless driving, and not wearing a seat belt – are leading factors in traffic fatalities,” the report said. “Drivers hold the key to reducing these figures – choose to make smart decisions behind the wheel, making roads safer for everyone.”
The report was compiled from traffic crash data provided by law enforcement agencies across the state and reflects information from all of Arizona’s roadways, including city streets, county roads, reservation roads, and state highways.
Two crash categories saw reductions in fatalities in 2020 – alcohol-related crashes and motorcycle-related crashes. Alcohol-related fatalities declined 30 percent to 181 deaths, compared to 258 in 2019. Motorcycle fatalities dropped from 170 deaths in 2019 to 160 in 2020, a 6 percent reduction.