Fatalities on Arizona, Pima County roads increase in 2015

Fatal crashes increased on Arizona roads in 2015, claiming the lives of 895 people. In Pima County, 91 lives were lost in crashes, according to an Arizona Department of Transportation annual report.

The number of state fatalities was up from 774 deaths in 2014, according to the state Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, which sums up data provided by state and local law enforcement agencies. The results are compiled from Arizona Traffic Crash Reports submitted to the ADOT by state, county, city, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies.

In Pima County, total traffic deaths rose from 88 in 2014. The roads in Pima County were deadlier in 2013 with 95 fatalities, reports show.

The breakdown for fatalities in 2015 in Pima County shows 19 pedestrian deaths, five bicyclists and 11 motorcyclists. Driving under the influence claimed the lives of 40 people.

In 2014, 15 pedestrians were killed in the county, seven bicyclists and 11 motorcyclists. DUI’s caused 39 deaths.

And in 2013 in the county, data shows 25 pedestrians were killed, five bicyclists and 15 motorcyclists. DUI’s claimed 43 lives.

“One death will always be too many, and there are things all drivers can do to reduce the number of crash deaths, starting with buckling up, obeying speed limits and reducing speed when conditions warrant,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski in a news release.

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“When you are behind the wheel, job number one is driving — not looking at your phone, not reading, not personal grooming, not anything that takes your attention away from the road,” Halikowski said. “It is dangerous and disrespectful for everyone sharing the road with you.”

The state statistics, according to officials, highlight how better decisions can save lives when it comes to the following factors:

• 313 of those killed last year weren’t using a seat belt, child safety device or helmet, which represents a 17.7 percent increase from 2014.
• 300 of those killed were involved in crashes related to exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions, a 25.5 percent increase from 2014.
• 295 of those killed were involved in alcohol-related crashes, a 9.7 percent increase from 2014.

Motor vehicle crashes resulted in $3.8 billion in economic losses for Arizona last year, and in Pima County the economic impact was $375 million, according to the report.

After falling yearly since 2011, alcohol-related crashes increased slightly in Arizona to 4,941 in 2015 from 4,906 in 2014. However, those killed in alcohol-related crashes rose to 295 last year from 269 in 2014.

Data shows that 16.2 percent of drivers in fatal crashes last year had been drinking, while 4.8 percent of drivers appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

“It’s tragic and frustrating to see increases in fatalities involving impaired driving,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “We’ll never stop efforts to get people to do the right thing, including arranging for a designated driver.”