Arizona Intersections

Every year, Arizona experiences tens of thousands of crashes, many with serious injuries or tragic consequences. In 2022 alone, nearly 1,300 people lost their lives on Arizona roads, the second-highest total ever recorded. Speeding and impaired driving were significant contributing factors, and a record number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths occurred.

These are the places in Arizona where road design, traffic flow, driver behavior, and infrastructure challenges combine to create hazardous conditions.

Arizona’s 10 Deadliest Intersections

1. 99th Ave & Lower Buckeye Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 353
Fatalities: 5
Why It’s Dangerous: A major crossroad for commuter and retail traffic with heavy congestion. Poor signal timing and frequent red-light running contribute to angle and T-bone crashes. High pedestrian traffic between shopping centers increases the risk of injury.

2. 67th Ave & Indian School Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 269
Fatalities: 4
Why It’s Dangerous: Stop-and-go traffic mixes cars, buses, and foot traffic. Congestion and abrupt lane changes are frequent. Many pedestrians cross mid-block, leading to high crash potential.

3. 67th Ave & McDowell Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 245
Fatalities: 3
Why It’s Dangerous: East–west traffic flow is at odds with local access roads, and speeding and short yellow light phases lead to rear-end and side-impact collisions.

4. 75th Ave & Indian School Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 232
Fatalities: 3
Why It’s Dangerous: A commercial-heavy intersection with frequent turning traffic, inconsistent signal patterns, and limited crosswalk visibility. High crash frequency during evening hours.

5. 43rd Ave & Thomas Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 221
Fatalities: 2
Why It’s Dangerous: Surrounded by fast-food chains, retail stores, and gas stations. Sudden stops, heavy turning volumes, and pedestrian jaywalking make this a hotspot for crashes.

6. 51st Ave & McDowell Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 210
Fatalities: 3
Why It’s Dangerous: Multiple access points to shopping plazas create unpredictable traffic flows. Drivers frequently speed through yellow lights, and visibility is limited due to signage and parked vehicles.

7. 59th Ave & Thomas Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 203
Fatalities: 2
Why It’s Dangerous: School zones and residential access roads intersect with high-volume traffic. Inadequate lane markings and aggressive merging lead to frequent fender benders and side-swipe crashes.

8. 19th Ave & Northern Ave, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 198
Fatalities: 2
Why It’s Dangerous: Proximity to transit lines, shopping centers, and apartment complexes. Buses and bicycles frequently mix with fast-moving traffic. Inadequate crosswalk markings add to the danger.

9. 35th Ave & Camelback Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 192
Fatalities: 3
Why It’s Dangerous: One of the busiest corridors in West Phoenix. High pedestrian activity, poorly timed signals, and multiple turning lanes create confusion and frequent collisions.

10. 16th St & Camelback Rd, Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 189
Fatalities: 2
Why It’s Dangerous: High-density intersection surrounded by retail, banking, and residential areas. Frequent left turns and limited turn lanes cause backups and sudden lane shifts, increasing crash risk.

Arizona’s 10 Most Hazardous Road Stretches

1. Interstate 10 (I-10), Phoenix to Casa Grande

Crashes (2018–2022): 1,200+
Fatalities: 40+
Why It’s Dangerous: Heavy truck traffic, narrow shoulders, and aggressive speeders. Construction zones and poor lighting contribute to nighttime crashes. Merging areas are short and frequently congested.

2. U.S. 93, Wickenburg to Hoover Dam

Crashes (2018–2022): 950
Fatalities: 35
Why It’s Dangerous: High-speed rural highway with few passing zones and sharp turns. Limited lighting and long distances between services create driver fatigue risk. Frequent head-on and single-vehicle crashes.

3. Interstate 17 (I-17), Phoenix to Flagstaff

Crashes (2018–2022): 1,100
Fatalities: 28
Why It’s Dangerous: Steep grades, sudden elevation changes, and heavy holiday traffic are major factors. Icy conditions in winter, speeding, and driver inattention are also major factors.

4. U.S. 60, Mesa to Globe

Crashes (2018–2022): 875
Fatalities: 22
Why It’s Dangerous: Winding mountain passes with limited guardrails, sharp turns, and fast descents make it especially risky for trucks and distracted drivers.

5. Loop 101, Scottsdale to Glendale

Crashes (2018–2022): 1,050
Fatalities: 20
Why It’s Dangerous: High commuter volumes and fast speeds contribute to frequent accidents. Aggressive lane changes, rear-end crashes, and poor merging design also contribute to accidents.

6. State Route 87 (Beeline Hwy), Mesa to Payson

Crashes (2018–2022): 660
Fatalities: 19
Why It’s Dangerous: A rural-urban transition zone with high-speed traffic meeting local roads. Poor lighting and mixed vehicle types (cars, trucks, farm equipment) increase the likelihood of severe crashes. Weekend recreation travel increases congestion.

7. State Route 347, Maricopa to I-10

Crashes (2018–2022): 715
Fatalities: 18
Why It’s Dangerous: One of the busiest commuter routes outside Phoenix. Long stretches without turn lanes, heavy traffic, and sudden slowdowns cause multi-car collisions.

8. Grand Avenue (U.S. 60), Phoenix Metro Area

Crashes (2018–2022): 795
Fatalities: 17
Why It’s Dangerous: Diagonal design intersects the standard grid system, leading to confusing merges. Old infrastructure and frequent lane shifts contribute to side-impact collisions and sudden stops.

9. Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway), Phoenix

Crashes (2018–2022): 640
Fatalities: 15
Why It’s Dangerous: Newer freeway, but already seeing high-speed collisions, poor lane discipline, distracted driving, and minimal enforcement in some areas raise risks.

10. Interstate 8 (I-8), Casa Grande to Yuma

Crashes (2018–2022): 590
Fatalities: 14
Why It’s Dangerous: A remote desert highway with few services, long straightaways, fatigue-related crashes, high temperatures, and blowouts during the summer months also contribute to rollover incidents.

Local Vision Zero Road Safety Action

Efforts to improve traffic safety in Arizona are gaining momentum, with both local and state agencies taking action to address the state’s most dangerous roadways. Two of the most significant initiatives are Phoenix’s Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan and the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

In 2022, the City of Phoenix committed $10 million annually to Vision Zero, aiming to eliminate all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The city identified a High Injury Network, specific roads and intersections where serious crashes happen most frequently, and began making targeted changes. These include lower speed limits, improved pedestrian crossings, and increased traffic enforcement in key zones.

Community input played a critical role. Thousands of residents participated in surveys and public forums to guide decision-making and prioritize areas needing urgent safety improvements. Since then, Phoenix has already implemented speed reductions in parts of downtown and has begun redesigning dangerous intersections to improve visibility and reduce conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, Phoenix is rolling out safety corridors and sections of roads with high crash rates that receive enhanced enforcement and public awareness campaigns. These corridors aim to discourage speeding, distracted driving, and red-light running. Although still in early stages, the city reports slight driver behavior and pedestrian safety improvements in pilot zones.

ADOT Highway Safety Plans

At the state level, ADOT has updated its Strategic Highway Safety Plan for 2025–2029 with a bold goal: reduce serious injuries and traffic fatalities by 20% by 2030. The plan follows the Safe System approach, which acknowledges that human error is inevitable but aims to prevent it from resulting in death or serious injury through better road design, speed management, and emergency response strategies.

ADOT also introduced its first Active Transportation Safety Action Plan (ATSAP), specifically focused on improving pedestrian and cyclist safety. Based on crash data and public input, the plan highlights 26 high-risk areas across Arizona’s state highway system. Planned improvements include better lighting, safer crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and signal timing adjustments to reduce conflicts between vehicles and non-motorized users.

Rural and tribal areas, where crash rates are often higher, are a central focus. ADOT is prioritizing improvements in these underserved regions with investments in signage upgrades, shoulder widening, and targeted education efforts in collaboration with local governments and tribal communities.

The strength of these combined efforts lies in coordination. While Phoenix’s Vision Zero plan targets dense urban corridors, ADOT’s statewide approach ensures that suburban and rural roads also receive the needed attention. Both initiatives embrace a data-driven, community-informed approach and align with national recommendations for building safer, more forgiving road networks.

Together, these programs reflect Arizona’s shift toward proactive traffic safety, where saving lives isn’t just a goal, but a commitment. It will take time, funding, and ongoing public engagement, but every improvement brings the state closer to safer roads for all.

Call a Trusted Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident in Arizona

Even on familiar roads, accidents can happen in an instant. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, whether it’s at a busy Phoenix intersection or along a rural stretch of U.S. 93, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and insurance battles can pile up quickly.

That’s where Local Accident Reports come in. We’re committed to helping crash victims across Arizona by connecting you with trusted, local personal injury attorneys, requesting and delivering your official Arizona accident report, and guiding you through the following steps after a crash.

Our network understands Arizona’s complex roadway system and the unique challenges of crash claims in high-risk areas like Maricopa County, Flagstaff, or Tucson. We believe you shouldn’t have to navigate recovery alone.

Call us today at 1 (888) 657‑1460 for a free consultation. Quick legal action can make a big difference, protecting evidence, securing compensation, and upholding your rights. Whether you were driving, walking, or riding a bike, knowing what to do next can bring clarity and peace of mind.