Serving Arizona Accident Victims for over 25 years

Request A Free Consultation Available 24/7

Pedestrian Accident Statistics: What Arizona’s Numbers Reveal

pedestrian accident statistics

 

As pedestrian accident statistics continue to rise, pedestrian safety has now become a serious concern in Arizona. To increase awareness, we tried to find out just how bad the trends have emerged in recent years. We hope that somehow, local policymakers and safety advocates may come up with more solutions to address this issue.  

Rising Pedestrian Fatalities

A couple of years ago, Arizona experienced a significant surge in pedestrian fatalities. During that time, the state recorded 307 pedestrian deaths, marking an 18.1% increase from the 260 fatalities reported in 2021. This upward trend is particularly concerning when considering the national context; Arizona’s pedestrian fatality rate stood at 4.17 deaths per 100,000 residents. It is the second-highest in the United States, trailing only New Mexico.

Urban Areas as High-Risk Zones

Most recent reports show that Arizona saw a total of 1,307 traffic fatalities, which is a slight drop of 0.98% from the previous year. The majority of these tragic incidents occurred on local roads, with 828 fatalities compared to 479 on state highways. This means that 63.36% of fatalities happened on local roads, while state highways accounted for 36.64%.

Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2023

When we break it down further, urban areas had nearly twice as many fatalities, with 853 deaths compared to 454 in rural areas. This shows that roughly 65% of fatalities occurred in urban areas, while rural areas accounted for 34.74%.

These figures highlight a serious issue: densely populated urban regions with heavy traffic and numerous intersections pose greater risks for pedestrians. The higher traffic volumes and complex driving conditions in these areas make them more dangerous for those on foot.

Demographic Insights

Based on demographics, it appears that men, especially those in their late 20s to mid-40s, are more frequently involved in pedestrian accidents. Therefore, safety campaigns should focus on these groups to reduce risks and keep everyone safe on the streets.

Common Circumstances of Accidents

The majority of pedestrian accidents occurred while individuals were crossing the road. Last year, 271 pedestrians lost their lives, and 1,710 were injured under these circumstances. 146 died while crossing the road, while 1,189 were injured.

Just when you thought it was safer to stop for a while, standing in the roadway was the second most common scenario. It accounts for 19 deaths and 127 injuries. These patterns highlight the importance of safe crossing practices and the need for drivers to remain vigilant, especially in areas with high foot traffic.

 

Factors that Increased Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Several factors contribute to the increasing number of pedestrian accidents in Arizona:

  • Infrastructure Challenges: Rapid urban growth has led to more vehicles and pedestrians sharing the same spaces. Unfortunately, infrastructure development hasn’t always kept pace, resulting in areas lacking adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. This mismatch creates hazardous conditions for those on foot.
  • Driver Behavior: Speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving are significant contributors to pedestrian accidents. A decline in traffic enforcement since 2020 has exacerbated these dangerous behaviors. Drivers not adhering to speed limits or failing to pay full attention, increase the likelihood of accidents involving pedestrians.
  • Vehicle Design: The increasing prevalence of larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, poses greater pedestrian risks. Due to their size and weight, such vehicles can cause more severe injuries upon impact. These vehicles often have larger blind spots and can cause more significant harm in collisions.
  • Environmental Conditions: Many pedestrian accidents occur at night or in low-visibility conditions. Poor street lighting and the absence of reflective clothing can make pedestrians less visible to drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.

 

Suggestions to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Addressing the surge in pedestrian accidents calls for a comprehensive approach. Therefore, cities should implement:

  • Infrastructure Enhancements: Invest in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. This includes well-marked crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, and adequate lighting. These improvements can significantly reduce accidents.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate both drivers and pedestrians about safe practices. Also, remind them of the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of using designated crossing areas.
  • Policy and Enforcement: Implement and enforce stricter traffic laws. This concerns speeding and impaired driving, to deter such dangerous behaviors.
  • Adoption of Safe System Approach: The Governors Highway Safety Association recommends the Safe System approach. It focuses on designing a transportation system that accommodates human error and minimizes the consequences of accidents.

To conclude, pedestrian accident statistics are not just numbers. The data on these graphs reflect real stories of Arizona pedestrians. And these stories may even be like yours, or from one of your loved ones who may have been injured in a pedestrian accident. 

Therefore, these insights help us identify patterns and risk factors, which can make your case stronger. They also point out issues like dangerous road designs or lack of crosswalks. Thus, hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer means having an advocate who will use this data to build a compelling case for you. We are dedicated to securing fair compensation for you, while also pushing for safety enhancements to help prevent future accidents.

 

Let's get started with your
FREE consultation
FREE DOWNLOAD

An Accident Lawyer’s Best
Tips For Helping Your Case

Arizona Practice Areas