The Most Dangerous Roads in Arizona
According to Arizona’s Department of Transportation, the Grand Canyon State has thousands of miles of highways comprising State Routes and Interstate Routes. However, one sobering statistic is that some of the most dangerous roads in America can be found in Arizona. Over the last 20 years, there have been more than 1,000 deaths per year in Arizona. Most of these deaths have occurred along Arizona highways.
What Makes a Road Dangerous?
A road can be considered dangerous due to several reasons. There could be sharp turns in the road, or misleading or confusing road signs. Bad weather can also make a road dangerous. Faded or poorly painted signs can cause confusion, and there can be missing barriers or guardrails. Potholes and poorly repaired roads can be disastrous for drivers. Bad road design and maintenance are often the key factors that make a road dangerous.
Top 5 Dangerous Roads in Arizona
Below is a list of Arizona’s five most dangerous roads based on the number of crashes and fatalities experienced here.
1. Interstate 10
The length of the I-10 that passes through Arizona is 391 miles, which includes a 150-mile transit between Tucson and Phoenix. Heavy commuter traffic has been experienced on this highway. There are lengthy stretches that have no guardrails. A barrier that separates the two sides of the road has led to an increased risk of truck rollovers and collisions. As many as one-third of the accidents here have been caused by drunk drivers.
One particularly dangerous aspect of I-10 is its lack of a median barrier. Although the state has argued that a median would be less safe, family members of car accident victims disagree. There have been many head-on collisions on this highway, because if a car needs to swerve and doesn’t hit a barrier, it can hit other cars going the opposite direction. A 2019 study by the Arizona Department of Transportation found that sections of I-10 without a median barrier had four times the rate of head-on collisions compared to sections with one.
This road has notched up 483 fatalities over a 5-year period, making it the most dangerous road in Arizona.
2. Interstate 40
This 359 miles of road goes from California to North Carolina. It is a key path for connecting the northern part of Arizona, and it has become a busy road for commerce. This road’s susceptibility to brush fires and flash floods contributes to dangerous driving conditions.
The strong winds in Arizona combined with its scorching temperatures create a tinderbox for wildfires. In 2019, the Tunnel Fire raged along I-40 near Williams, forcing closures and evacuations. The charred remains of vegetation lining the highway serve as a stark reminder of the danger.
Flash floods are another threat. Sudden downpours in the mountain regions can send water cascading down onto the highway, transforming it into a river. In 2021, a flash flood washed out a portion of I-40 near Flagstaff, leaving drivers stranded and highlighting the road's vulnerability. In a 4-year period, there were 220 fatalities on this road.
3. Interstate 17
This 145-mile stretch of road connects the desert landscape of Phoenix to the mountain city of Flagstaff. It is a mile high in altitude and goes towards the Grand Canyon recreational area. The scenic areas have many changes in elevation. Ice, fog, and snow create dangerous driving conditions.
The varying altitudes on this road make it susceptible to unpredictable weather such as ice, fog, and snow. These conditions can make driving very dangerous, especially in higher altitudes. There were 123 fatalities here within a 5-year period.
4. Interstate 93
I-93 road has been referred to as the most dangerous highway in the United States. The 200 miles of this road start southeast of Las Vegas and end northwest of Phoenix. It is a long, desolate highway that induces drivers to speed up and drive recklessly. Such a long monotonous road can also lead to driver fatigue and inattention. There are also extreme temperatures that can contribute to vehicle breakdowns or heatstroke.
Due to its remote location, emergency services take a very long time to arrive at any accidents that occur on I-93. It ranks as the fourth worst highway for emergency medical service wait times, averaging about 21 minutes. This can be the difference between life and death.
I-93 has racked up 90 fatalities in 6 years. Over 90 percent of accidents have resulted from reckless and irresponsible driving. Phoenix car accident lawyers report seeing a lot of I-93 accident victims.
5. Interstate 19
I-19 lies south of Tucson and stretches all the way to Nogales, Arizona. Despite how short this 63-mile stretch of road is, it’s one of the most deadly roads in America. It has heavy traffic with lots of trucks, increasing the risk of collisions. Impatient drivers often attempt to speed on the long open stretches, only to encounter more traffic. This tends to happen with desert highways because people feel like they have the road to themselves – until they don’t.
Just like I-93, this road runs through a desert area, making emergency responses slow. Even when help does arrive, the lack of hospitals in the area makes it difficult to get fast medical care. And just like most roads in Arizona, there is potential for extreme temperatures, dangerous weather conditions, and hazardous wildlife. I-19 has had 57 accident fatalities within a 4-year period.
Staying Safe on Arizona Roads
Now you know some of the most dangerous roads in Arizona and even the United States. Wearing your seat belt, paying attention to the road, and driving at safe speeds are some of the things you can do to avoid accidents. Remember to observe speed limits and adjust your speed if the road has a curve, is maintained poorly, or has a steep drop-off.