ADOT reports significant reduction in Arizona auto accidents in 2010

Arizona car crashes were significantly down in 2010, according to the Arizona Department of Transporation. Fatalities dropped by around 5.5% from the year before. There were a total of 106,177 accidents, down nearly 1% from 107,094 in 2009, and down from 143,503 in 2006. The amount of accidents in Arizona has dropped every year since 2006.

People say there are several possible reasons to the reductions, such as red light cameras or better vehicle safety devices, but this is really just speculation.

Here are some other 2010 highlights: Of the 106,000 plus accidents in the state, 698 crashes were fatal, or 0.66%, with a total of 762 people killed. Nearly one third, or 33,195 of the accidents resulted in injuries, with a total of 50,110 people injured. Of the 762 people who lost their lives, 406 were drivers, 182 were passengers, 155 were pedestrians and 19 were bicyclists.

The total number of bike riders injured was down by almost 4 percent, and bicycle fatalities were way down by 24 percent. Pedestrian injuries were down by over 5 percent, however pedestrian fatalities increased by a whopping 27.05%. This was the only significant increase reported.

ADOT also reported the following:

Just over 2 people were killed per day;

137.19 persons were hurt every day;

Crashes where alcohol played a role represented just over 5 percent of all crashes and just over 30 percent of all fatal crashes;

Single car accidents represented 17.42 percent of all crashes and 41.12 percent of accidents involving fatalities;

10.77% of pedestrian accidents were fatal, while only .99% of bike accidents were fatal;

73.6% of accidents took place during daylight hours;

Minors ages 14 and under sustained 31 fatalities and 3,881 injuries;

Auto accidents caused $2.668 billion in economic losses to the State of Arizona; and
Just under 80 percent of accidents occurred in urban areas.

A KTAR.com story interviewed someone from an auto body shop who stated that the decline in accidents is a possible reason as to why the collision repair industry as a whole has seen a drop in business. This has occurred even though there has been a gradual increase in miles traveled across the country.

Whatever the reason for the steady decline in Phoenix area injury accidents, I would think we would all agree that it’s a good thing. That being said, there will obviously continue to be collisions where Arizona residents get hurt.

If you have been injured in a Phoenix car crash, call the Arizona accident attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us online or call 866-99-ABELS to speak directly to a lawyer today.