The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is creating accurate vehicle crash data with the aid of a $389,520 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
The data will be used by researchers, law enforcement, and transportation engineers to examine the causes and trends of serious injuries and fatalities.
Collection of the data is required under state law. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other entities statewide use crash data and comprehensive reports to improve traffic safety.
ADOT’s Crash Records Unit uses data collection and management tool Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) and offers the tool to Arizona law enforcement agencies for free.
“TraCS is considered to be one of the best software platforms in the nation for managing electronic forms associated with traffic stops and crash reports,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Director Alberto Gutier is invaluable to collecting crash data and identifying trends, helping make Arizona’s roads safer.”
In 2016, there were 126,845 motor-vehicle accidents statewide, injuring 56,636 and killing 962, according to the annual Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report.
Crashes peak on Fridays and Saturdays and during the afternoon rushing hour. Speed and alcohol were the most common causes of accidents.