Arizona Is One of the Most Dangerous States for Jaywalking Crashes

Last year, a young student was struck by a motorist as she was crossing the street on her way to school. The accident happened a few blocks from my office, so close, in fact, that I heard the sirens as first responders rushed to the scene.

Thankfully, the child recovered with minor injuries, but it made us stop and take note so this doesn’t happen again.

Read more about the incident here: Sierra Vista Bike Accident Injures Young Cyclist.

The child was crossing the street in a crosswalk, but many pedestrians and cyclists in Arizona are tempted to cross where there is no crosswalk or traffic signal. While it’s legal to do so, it’s not always safe, and at times the outcome is tragic.

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Arizona Is One of the Most Dangerous States for Jaywalking Crashes

According to A.R.S. § 28-793, crossing the road outside of marked crosswalks, also known as “jaywalking,” is not automatically illegal in Arizona. However, pedestrians legally have to yield to vehicles if they choose to cross mid‑block. Cities can also add their own rules, so enforcement varies depending on where you are; just because it’s legal in the state, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s legal in your town.

What’s worse, jaywalking is a growing safety concern. Arizona consistently ranks among the most hazardous places in the country for pedestrians, especially those crossing outside designated crosswalks.

Recent national analyses show just how severe the problem has become. According to the FARS data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Arizona recorded 271 pedestrian deaths in 2023, giving it the second‑highest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation at 3.65 deaths per 100,000 people.

Why Arizona’s Numbers Are So High

Arizona cities are poorly designed for people walking. Several factors converge to make Arizona particularly dangerous.

Wide, high‑speed arterial roads dominate cities like Phoenix and Tucson, creating long distances between safe pedestrian crosswalks.

A new study by the law firm Jacoby & Myers shows how cities with car‑centric design, poor lighting, and a concerning lack of pedestrian infrastructure contribute to fatal outcomes that are especially pronounced in Arizona’s sprawling metro areas.

In climates with heavy snow or inclement weather, people are less inclined to walk. However, Arizona’s year-round weather is much warmer, which also contributes to an increase in car-versus pedestrian accidents. More people walk in the evening and after dark to avoid the heat, and that increases their exposure during low‑visibility hours, which is a known risk factor in fatal pedestrian crashes.

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Are There Plans to Make Arizona Roads Safer?

ADOT acknowledges the crisis. They’re working toward upgrades in engineering, lighting improvements, and public‑education campaigns. NHTSA similarly urges states to redesign roads for pedestrian safety, emphasizing slower speeds, better crossings, and improved visibility.

Arizona is taking steps to make roads safer for pedestrians, but the data makes one thing clear: the state’s roads still overwhelmingly prioritize cars, and pedestrians continue to pay the price.