Three-Year Low for Arizona Traffic Fatalities Last Year

Arizona experienced a three-year low for traffic fatalities in 2019, according to data released in the Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts Report for 2019, which is produced by the Arizona Department of Transportation. This measurement was just one of multiple categories of data that saw a decrease from 2018 to 2019. Other categories that saw decreases in fatalities include the following:

• Pedestrian fatalities
• Alcohol-related fatalities
• Fatalities of those not wearing seat belts
• Distracted drivers involved in crashes

The report tallies data provided by law enforcement agencies from across the state and includes accidents that occurred on state highways, county roads, reservation roads, and city streets. Even though the total number of traffic fatalities decreased, the number of crashes increased by 1.6 percent from 2018 to 2019.

2019 Arizona fatal truck accident statistics

According to the data provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation, 2019 fatal Arizona truck accident statistics were as follows:

• 1,912 total Truck Tractor (with or without Semi-Trailer) accidents with 60 vehicles involved in fatal accidents
• 46 total Concrete Mixer Truck accidents with 0 vehicles involved in fatal accidents
• 202 total Dump Truck accidents with 2 involved in fatal accidents
• 123 Garbage Truck accidents with 3 involved in fatal accidents
• 47 Tanker Truck accidents with 1 involved in a fatal accident
• 98 total Wrecker or Tow Truck accidents with 4 involved in fatal accidents
• 9,471 Other Truck Combination accidents with 16 involved in fatal accidents
• 47 Fire Truck accidents with 1 involved in a fatal accident

Of all these truck accidents, 8 truck drivers were killed and 3 truck passengers were killed in 2019.

Dangers of large trucks on Arizona roads

Increased numbers of large trucks may indicate a booming economy. However, there are a lot of problems that tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks pose on local, county, and state, and interstate roadways. Some of these dangers include the following:

• Uneven loading of products leading to truck rollovers
• Inexperienced truck drivers
• Drowsy, distracted, or impaired truck drivers
• Inclement weather
• Speeding, tailgating, and improper passing
• Improperly maintained trucks
• Malfunctioning truck parts
• Blind spots
• High winds that cause trucks to rollover

Large trucks need a lot of time and space to come to a complete stop without crashing into any other vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tractor-trailers must now be able to come to a complete stop within 250 feet if they are traveling at 60 MPH. The previous requirement was 355 feet. The time and distance it takes to come to a safe stop change when the roads are covered in snow or ice or if they are wet from the rain. The time and distance also change when the truck has a full load.

Were you or a loved one injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Arizona? Did you lose a loved one in a tragic truck accident? If so, it’s time to explore your legal options in response to the accident with the help of the experienced truck accident attorneys from Plattner Verderame, P.C. Call our office at 602-266-2002 or complete a contact form online to schedule a consultation. We operate offices in Phoenix and Tempe to better serve our clients.