Arizona traffic deaths fall for third straight year, remain near record highs

The number of people who die on Arizona’s roadways fell once again in 2025.

Last year, there were 1,156 traffic fatalities. This marked a 5.2% decrease compared to 2024’s numbers, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Each year, ADOT compiles statewide crash data from reports provided by law enforcement agencies statewide. This reflects crash data for all Arizona roadways, including city streets, county roads, tribal roads and state highways.

Fewer collisions and fewer crashes involving alcohol

Fatalities weren’t the only category in which Arizona showed improvement.

The total number of collisions also fell to 118,052 in 2025. This was a 4.4% decrease from the number of crashes in 2024: 123,535.

Additionally, the number of crashes related to alcohol fell from 2024 to 2025.

Another positive trend is the decrease in the number of traffic fatalities among pedestrians and bicyclists in 2025.

While the numbers paint a rosy picture, ADOT Director Jennifer Toth isn’t feeling optimistic.

“Fewer fatalities on Arizona’s roadways is a move in the right direction, but even one death is one too many,” Toth said in a news release. “We need everyone to make smarter decisions behind the wheel so we all safely arrive at our destinations.”

What caused the most traffic fatalities in Arizona in 2025?

Here are some findings:

• Speeding: Driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit contributed to crashes that resulted in 367 deaths and 19,831 injuries. Those figures represent 31.8% of all traffic fatalities and 36.3% of all traffic injuries.
• Alcohol impairment: Alcohol was a factor in 334 fatalities and 28% of all fatal crashes.
• Safety devices: Of those killed in crashes, 320 motorists were not using a safety device like a seat belt.
• Gender: Male drivers accounted for 72.9% of drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes.
• Age: Drivers ages 25 to 34 were the group most frequently involved in alcohol-related crashes, accounting for 31.7% of drivers involved.
• Nights and weekends: In 2025, 2,397 alcohol-related crashes occurred on nights and weekends, representing 43.57% of all alcohol-related crashes.

“Traffic fatalities in Arizona went down for the third year in a row in 2025 and the total number of crashes also dropped, which is very encouraging to see,” said ADOT spokesperson Kelsey Mo. “But those numbers still remain near all-time highs.”

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KTAR News 92.3 FM’s John Roller contributed to this report.

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