Phoenix’s Deadliest Highways

More than 200 people died in vehicle collisions on Maricopa County’s freeway system from 2013-15. That’s about one person every five days.

National data shows Arizona yields more fatal accidents per mile of state highway than most states.

 

U.S. 60 — 26 fatal crashes

Length of freeway (in Maricopa County): About 22 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 1.18.

Deadliest section: 

  • Just east of the U.S. 60/Loop 101 interchange. There were four fatal crashes in less than a quarter-mile.

Interstate 17 — 36 fatal crashes

Length of freeway (in Maricopa County): About 47 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.77.

Deadliest sections: 

  • Bell Road to Greenway Road: Five crashes in 1 mile.
  • Happy Valley Road to Loop 303: Eight crashes in 4 miles.

Interstate 10 — 73 fatal crashes

Length of freeway (in Maricopa County): About 98 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.74.

Deadliest sections: 

  • Loop 101 to Interstate 17: Nineteen crashes in 9 miles.
  • Seventh Street to 16th Street: Five crashes in 1 mile.

Loop 101 — 35 fatal crashes

Length of freeway: About 61 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.57.

Deadliest section:

  • Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to U.S. 60: Ten accidents in 5 miles.

Loop 202 — 19 fatal crashes

Length of freeway: About 57 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.33.

Deadliest section: 

  • State Route 51 to State Route 143: Five crashes in 3 miles.

State Route 51 — 3 fatal crashes

Length of freeway: About 17 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.18.

Deadliest section: 

  • Bell Road to Greenway Road: Three crashes in 1 mile.
  • Note: There were three fatal collisions on State Route 51 from 2013-15. All occurred between Bell and Greenway roads.

Loop 303 — 4 fatal crashes

Length of freeway: About 35 miles.

Fatal accidents per mile of freeway (2013-15): 0.11.

Deadliest section: 

  • Near El Mirage Road: Two crashes in 2 miles.
  • Note: Two of the collisions occurred within 1 mile of El Mirage Road. Both were head-on collisions. In all of Maricopa County, only nine fatal head-on collisions occurred on freeways between 2013-15.\