PHOENIX — Traffic fatalities in Arizona fell for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to a new report from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). While the decline is a hopeful sign, state officials caution that the total number of deaths and injuries remains far too high — and most are preventable.
According to the 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, there were 1,228 traffic-related deaths across the state last year — a 6.12% decrease from 2023. Overall crashes also dropped by 1.74%, from 123,256 in 2023 to 121,107 in 2024.
“This progress is encouraging, but we’re still seeing too many lives lost,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “There’s no such thing as an ‘accident’ when crashes are caused by choices like speeding, driving impaired, or not buckling up.”
The annual report, compiled from crash data submitted by law enforcement agencies statewide, covers all public roads in Arizona — from highways and tribal roads to city and county streets.
Behavior Behind the Wheel Still Driving Tragedy
Officials say the most consistent and troubling pattern remains unchanged: driver behavior is the leading factor behind fatal and serious crashes.
Speeding was involved in 417 fatalities and over 20,700 injuries in 2024, making it the single most common contributor to fatal crashes (33.9%).
Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 28.26% of all traffic deaths, despite a slight year-over-year drop from 358 deaths in 2023 to 347 in 2024.
Distracted driving was cited in at least 8,289 collisions, although experts warn the true number is likely higher due to underreporting.
“Behind every number is a person, a family, a loss,” said Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “We see too many lives cut short because of reckless decisions like impaired driving or failing to wear a seatbelt. That’s why enforcement, education, and community outreach remain critical.”
Young Adults and Males Overrepresented in Risky Driving
Alcohol-related crashes continue to disproportionately involve male drivers (71%), with drivers aged 25-34 making up more than 31% of these incidents. Late nights and weekends are particularly dangerous, with over 2,400 alcohol-related crashes occurring during these high-risk times.
Urban Roads More Dangerous Than Highways
The data also revealed that most traffic deaths occur on local streets (775 fatalities) rather than on state highways (453). Urban areas saw significantly more fatalities (781) than rural areas (447), a reflection of higher traffic volumes and more complex driving environments.
Vulnerable Road Users See Mixed Trends
There were signs of both progress and concern among Arizona’s most vulnerable road users:
Motorcyclist fatalities fell from 262 in 2023 to 219 in 2024 — a 16.4% drop.
Pedestrian deaths decreased, but pedestrian and cyclist crashes hit a five-year high, with 2,079 pedestrian incidents and 1,379 bicyclist incidents reported.
“Even one death is too many,” said Jesse Torrez, Director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Behind these statistics are real people — kids, parents, neighbors. And while the downward trend is encouraging, the record-high crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists show that there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Seatbelt and Helmet Use Show Improvement
Fatalities and injuries due to not wearing seatbelts or helmets were also down in 2024. The number of people killed without safety devices dropped from 381 in 2023 to 340 in 2024, with injuries decreasing from 3,292 to 3,088.
The Path Forward
Officials are urging the public to take the report as a call to action — not just for government agencies, but for every driver on Arizona roads.
The full 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is available at: azdot.gov/CrashFacts
“Saving lives on our roads starts with individual decisions,” Toth emphasized. “Every time someone chooses to drive sober, stay within the speed limit, put their phone away, or buckle up, they’re part of the solution.”
