Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Arizona recorded 6,102 traffic deaths in 5,558 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 16.6 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #12 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths 2020–2024
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Arizona Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Arizona Cities to Drive In
All 41 ranked Arizona cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (2020–2024) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Show Low | 99/100 | 25 | 40.5 |
| 2 | Payson | 99/100 | 27 | 32.1 |
| 3 | Kingman | 98/100 | 51 | 28.2 |
| 4 | Eloy | 97/100 | 25 | 25.5 |
| 5 | Sedona | 97/100 | 13 | 25.1 |
| 6 | Tucson | 97/100 | 675 | 24.6 |
| 7 | Safford | 96/100 | 12 | 23.9 |
| 8 | Coolidge | 96/100 | 24 | 23.7 |
| 9 | Bullhead City | 93/100 | 42 | 19.1 |
| 10 | Flagstaff | 92/100 | 70 | 18.3 |
| 11 | Casa Grande | 91/100 | 61 | 18.1 |
| 12 | Yuma | 91/100 | 89 | 17.5 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 90/100 | 1,428 | 17.2 |
| 14 | Glendale | 89/100 | 215 | 16.8 |
| 15 | Snowflake-Taylor | 87/100 | 9 | 16.0 |
| 16 | Buckeye | 85/100 | 85 | 14.8 |
| 17 | Apache Junction | 85/100 | 31 | 14.8 |
| 18 | Lake Havasu City | 84/100 | 43 | 14.4 |
| 19 | Douglas | 84/100 | 11 | 14.3 |
| 20 | Cottonwood | 81/100 | 9 | 13.4 |
| 21 | Tempe | 80/100 | 127 | 13.3 |
| 22 | Prescott | 80/100 | 32 | 13.2 |
| 23 | Florence | 79/100 | 15 | 12.8 |
| 24 | Mesa | 73/100 | 297 | 11.6 |
| 25 | Goodyear | 70/100 | 65 | 11.1 |
| 26 | Marana | 69/100 | 33 | 10.9 |
| 27 | Nogales | 66/100 | 10 | 10.2 |
| 28 | Avondale | 66/100 | 48 | 10.1 |
| 29 | Chino Valley | 65/100 | 7 | 10.0 |
| 30 | Peoria | 59/100 | 92 | 9.2 |
| 31 | Scottsdale | 58/100 | 110 | 9.0 |
| 32 | Chandler | 52/100 | 115 | 8.2 |
| 33 | Sierra Vista | 52/100 | 18 | 8.2 |
| 34 | Prescott Valley | 50/100 | 20 | 7.8 |
| 35 | Sahuarita | 48/100 | 14 | 7.6 |
| 36 | Surprise | 47/100 | 61 | 7.5 |
| 37 | Somerton | 42/100 | 5 | 6.8 |
| 38 | Oro Valley | 38/100 | 15 | 6.2 |
| 39 | El Mirage | 32/100 | 10 | 5.6 |
| 40 | Gilbert | 29/100 | 73 | 5.3 |
| 41 | San Luis | 3/100 | 2 | 1.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Arizona?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 5,558 fatal car accidents in Arizona from 2020 to 2024, killing 6,102 people — an average of 1,220 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Arizona roads compared to other states?
Arizona averages 16.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #12 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Arizona?
Of Arizona's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 20% involved a drinking driver, 33% involved speeding, and 49% happened in dark conditions.
Which Arizona city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Arizona cities, Show Low has the highest Road Danger Score (99/100) at 40.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.