Valley's Riskiest Roads: A Collision Deep Dive

Navigating the bustling thoroughfares of Arizona's Valley cities can often feel like a high-stakes endeavour, especially when considering the sheer volume of traffic that flows through major intersections daily. While the convenience of modern road networks is undeniable, the unfortunate reality is that certain junctions have become hotspots for vehicle collisions. Understanding where and why these incidents occur is crucial for every driver, pedestrian, and cyclist aiming to enhance their safety on the road. This article delves into a detailed review of crash data from several key Valley cities, pinpointing the most collision-prone intersections and exploring the factors contributing to these incidents, alongside the proactive measures being taken to mitigate risks.

Over a three-year period, specifically from 2016 through 2018, The Arizona Republic meticulously analysed collision data supplied by various Valley municipalities. This comprehensive review aimed to identify the intersections with the highest number of vehicle crashes, providing a clearer picture of the most dangerous spots for motorists. The focus was on overall collisions rather than just fatalities, as numerous minor incidents can indicate a persistent issue at a specific location, whereas fatal crashes are often more dispersed.

A significant finding from the data was that more than half of all intersection-related collisions across the Valley occurred at or within approximately a mile of major freeways. This pattern is perhaps unsurprising given the tendency for traffic to build up significantly in these areas, leading to increased congestion and, consequently, a higher likelihood of incidents. Furthermore, several major roads were consistently linked to multiple high-crash intersections, including McDowell and Indian School roads in Phoenix, Bell Road in Surprise, Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale, and Rural Road in Tempe, highlighting recurring problem arteries.

Phoenix: Navigating the Metropolitan Maze

As the largest city in the Valley, Phoenix naturally records a substantial number of traffic incidents. Between 2016 and 2018, the city experienced a staggering 65,857 intersection-related crashes. A city spokeswoman, Ashley Patton, noted that Phoenix’s major intersections often handle between 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles per day, with some roads featuring five to seven lanes, contributing to the high volume of traffic.

The Republic's review highlighted that the greatest number of accidents in Phoenix during this period were concentrated on the west side of the city, particularly between Camelback and McDowell roads, and 27th and 75th Avenues. These areas are notably close to major freeways. The intersections with the highest collision counts were:

• 27th Avenue and Camelback Road: 195 collisions
• 67th Avenue and Indian School Road: 191 collisions
• 75th Avenue and Indian School Road: 186 collisions
• 67th Avenue and McDowell Road: 178 collisions
• 51st Avenue and McDowell Road: 169 collisions

It's worth noting that among these top five, 51st, 67th, and 75th avenues all connect to Interstate 10, with McDowell Road being less than a quarter-mile north of the freeway, and Indian School Road approximately 2.2 miles north. 27th Avenue is also near Interstate 17. In terms of fatalities, Phoenix recorded 465 fatal intersection-related collisions during the period. Several intersections, including 27th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, and Seventh Street and McDowell Road, each saw three fatal incidents, marking them as particularly perilous.

Scottsdale: Affluence and Accidents

Scottsdale, known for its vibrant atmosphere, also contends with significant traffic challenges. From 2016 to 2018, the city reported over 9,300 intersection-related collisions, which, according to traffic engineering analyst Sam Taylor, includes minor and local intersections. Scottsdale classifies any collision occurring within 100 feet of an intersection as intersection-related.

The intersections with the highest number of collisions in Scottsdale were:

• Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard: 143 collisions
• Hayden and Thomas roads: 118 collisions
• 92nd Street and Shea Boulevard: 99 collisions
• Scottsdale and McDowell roads: 99 collisions
• 90th Street and Shea Boulevard: 98 collisions

The top three intersections, including both Shea Boulevard locations and the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard junction, are all in close proximity to the Loop 101 motorway. The city recorded a total of 21 fatal intersection-related collisions during the three years, none of which occurred at the same intersection, suggesting a more dispersed pattern for fatalities.

East Valley: A Closer Look

The East Valley comprises several rapidly growing communities, each with its own set of traffic dynamics.

Gilbert

In Gilbert, Val Vista Drive emerged as a recurring location for high collision counts between 2016 and 2018. Sergeant Mark Marino of the Gilbert Police Department provided the following data:

• Loop 202 and Val Vista Drive: 79 collisions
• Germann Road and Val Vista Drive: 75 collisions
• Baseline and Higley roads: 74 collisions
• Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive: 46 collisions
• East Elliott Road and Val Vista Drive: 24 collisions

Gilbert investigated 4,870 intersection-related collisions during the period, classifying any incident within 150 feet of an intersection as such. Of these, 21 were fatal, occurring at various locations throughout the town. Sergeant Marino highlighted the Loop 202 and South Val Vista Drive intersection as the town's worst, averaging one collision every two weeks.

Tempe

Tempe, a landlocked community bordered by three major motorways (Interstate 10, Loop 101, and Loop 202), experienced approximately 6,540 intersection-related collisions from 2016 to 2018. The data analysed by The Republic showed:

• Baseline Road and Interstate 10 at Exit 155: 132 collisions
• Broadway and Price roads: 132 collisions
• Rural Road and University Drive: 104 collisions
• Rural Road and Southern Avenue: 91 collisions
• Price Road and University Drive: 87 collisions

Fifteen of Tempe's intersection-related collisions were fatal during this period. Notably, the intersection of Rural Road and Southern Avenue saw two fatal incidents in 2016 and 2017, while others were spread across the city.

Mesa

Mesa recorded approximately 8,600 intersection-related collisions between 2015 and 2017, as 2018 data was not yet available. Jason Flam of the Mesa Police Department provided the following collision hotspots:

• Southern Avenue and Stapley Drive: 118 collisions
• State Route 24 and Ellsworth Road: 104 collisions
• Southern Avenue and Country Club Drive: 92 collisions
• Broadway Road and Mesa Drive: 86 collisions
• Southern Avenue and Dobson Road: 73 collisions

During these two years, Mesa experienced 36 fatal intersection-related collisions. While the data did not specify if any single intersection had multiple fatalities, Flam noted that the majority of the city's fatal collisions do not occur at intersections.

Chandler

For Chandler, the total number of traffic collisions from 2016 through 2018 was 11,329, with 32 fatalities, according to Seth Tyler, a spokesman for the Chandler Police Department. However, it remains unclear how many of these total collisions and fatalities were specifically intersection-related. The intersections with the most reported collisions were:

• Arizona Avenue and Warner Road: 108 collisions
• Kyrene Road and Chandler Boulevard: 107 collisions
• Dobson and Ray roads: 105 collisions
• Arizona Avenue and Ray Road: 93 collisions
• Alma School Road and Chandler Boulevard: 70 collisions

West Valley: Incidents on the Other Side

The West Valley also has its share of high-collision intersections, reflecting the region's growth and traffic density.

Glendale

Debbie Albert, a traffic engineer for Glendale, reported 8,348 intersection-related collisions between 2015 and 2017, with 29 fatalities. Glendale classifies collisions within 300 feet of an intersection as intersection-related. The most collision-prone intersections were:

• Northern and 51st avenues: 153 collisions
• Camelback Road and 51st Avenue: 125 collisions
• Thunderbird Road and 59th Avenue: 125 collisions
• Bethany Home Road and 59th Avenue: 116 collisions
• Northern and 59th avenues: 113 collisions

Two of the fatal collisions occurred at Glendale and 83rd avenues, with the rest spread throughout the city. Albert noted that approximately one-third of collisions were rear-end incidents, and another one-third were left-turn collisions.

Peoria

Peoria saw approximately 6,400 intersection-related collisions from 2016 to 2018, with 19 fatal incidents, none of which occurred at the same intersection. The data highlighted the following as having the most collisions:

• Thunderbird Road and North 83rd Avenue: 187 collisions
• Olive and North 91st avenues: 168 collisions
• Grand and North 75th avenues: 146 collisions
• Cactus Road and North 75th Avenue: 146 collisions
• West Thunderbird Road and North 84th Drive: 140 collisions

Surprise

In Surprise, the data from 2016 to 2018 indicated approximately 2,800 total traffic collisions, though the number of intersection-related incidents was unclear. The city recorded four fatal traffic collisions during this period, each at a separate intersection. The intersections with the highest collision counts were:

• Bell and Litchfield roads: 84 collisions
• Bell and Reems roads: 64 collisions
• Bell Road and West Point Parkway: 47 collisions
• Litchfield and Waddell roads: 36 collisions
• Dysart and Bell roads: 36 collisions

Common Crash Factors and Proactive Solutions

Across the Valley cities, several recurring factors contribute to intersection collisions. Failure to yield, excessive speed, and disregarding traffic signals are frequently cited as primary violations. In Mesa, "speed too fast" was the most common violation in intersection-related collisions, though this doesn't always imply exceeding the speed limit, but rather driving at an unsafe speed for conditions. For fatal incidents in Mesa, failure to yield and disregarding signals were the top factors, a pattern mirrored in Phoenix.

Cities are not standing idly by; numerous initiatives are underway to enhance road safety:

• Traffic Signal Upgrades: Phoenix's Street Transportation Department has been actively upgrading traffic signals, particularly by installing flashing yellow arrows for left-hand turns. Research suggests these can reduce collisions by up to 25%. They also rebuild signals to meet current standards, improve visibility, and install new signals at previously unsignalled intersections.
• Advanced Detection Systems: Phoenix and Gilbert utilise advanced detection technology in traffic signals. This system waits for a gap in traffic before changing lights, aiming to minimise instances where drivers feel compelled to run a yellow light.
• Enforcement and Education: Gilbert Police operate unmarked aggressive driving vehicles to enforce traffic laws and correct dangerous driving behaviours. Both Gilbert and Phoenix run public safety campaigns, such as "Speed Down. Eyes Up. Drive Safely" and "Heads Up," to educate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on safe practices.
• Addressing Inattention: Sergeant Marino of Gilbert highlighted "documented inattention" as a significant factor, linking it to high traffic concentration, newer drivers, and mobile phone usage.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Glendale is aggressively installing flashing yellow arrows at all major intersections and implementing median islands to limit turning movements near signalised junctions. This aims to reduce common crash types like rear-end and left-turn collisions.

The collective effort of city authorities and the vigilance of road users are paramount in making our intersections safer. While the data highlights the challenges, the ongoing improvements offer hope for a reduction in future collision rates.

Comparative Overview of Top Intersections

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the most common causes of intersection collisions in the Valley?

The most frequently cited causes include failure to yield, driving at an unsafe speed, disregarding traffic signals (e.g., running red lights), and driver inattention, often linked to mobile phone use and other distractions.

Q2: Are new traffic signal technologies making a difference?

Yes, cities are investing in upgrades like flashing yellow arrows and advanced detection systems. Studies cited by Phoenix officials suggest flashing yellow arrows alone can reduce collisions by 25%, by making left-turn yielding instructions clearer to drivers.

Q3: What can drivers do to stay safe at intersections?

Drivers should always obey traffic laws, adhere to speed limits, and be particularly vigilant when approaching and navigating intersections. Avoiding distractions, especially mobile phone use, is crucial. Being aware of the most dangerous intersections in your area can also help you exercise extra caution.

Q4: How many total traffic collisions occurred in Chandler, AZ, from 2016-2018?

According to the Chandler Police Department, there were a total of 11,329 traffic collisions in Chandler from 2016 through 2018. However, the exact number of these that were specifically intersection-related is not clear from the provided data.

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