How does this jive with Arizona’s abysmally high fatality rate?
First off, I wasn’t even aware of this particular statistic — the notion of measuring “highway” fatalities. But that being as it may…
This news item is, as might be expected, a press release from DPS, Jan 18, 2008 (direct link to press release, and a table of data). The latest official stats from NHSTA are still back at 2006 — where Arizona (as a whole, not just interstates and state highways) numbers were bad.
Here is a combined tables showing some of the stats, combined with some of the aggregate numbers for all of Arizona (ADOT stats). The DPS figures show an enormous (27%!) decrease year-over-year for number of fatalities in 2006– could that really be true? The number of injury collisions went down, but just a tiny bit. [note to self: the spreadsheet is in carlaw/AZstats.xls]
…
Highway deaths in Arizona are at a decade low
The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.17.2008
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PHOENIX – State officials have announced a drop in the number of Arizona highway accidents involving fatalities.
The Department of Public Safety reports there were 302 fatal collisions on Arizona highways in 2007, the fewest since the 293 in 1998. And the number of fatalities in 2007 was 347, the lowest total since in the 308 in 1997.
DPS Director Roger Vanderpool attributes the drop in fatal accidents to increased state funding that has put more officers on the highways and to tougher laws on drunken driving and vehicle impoundment.
The DPS says collisions involving injury and property damage also are down.
The figures apply only to state and federal highways under DPS’s jurisdiction, not local routes.
…
here is the text of the press release:
– For Immediate Release –
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Through the Efforts of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Supported by the Governor and Legislature, Fatal Collisions Have Decreased to a Level Not Seen Since 1998.
“Thanks to the support of Governor Janet Napolitano and the Arizona Legislature there are more DPS officers on our highways and that plays a significant role in reducing all types of collisions. As a result, public safety is impacted in a positive way. We are happy to release these collision statistics and are looking forward to continued success in making our highways safer,” said Roger Vanderpool, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
With the increased staffing levels provided by the governor and legislature, the men and woman of DPS have been able to focus enforcement efforts towards laws specifically designed to reduce collisions and save lives. In addition, our diligent enforcement of Arizona’s tougher DUI laws and the vehicle impoundment law, have proven effective in improving highway safety.
The number of fatal collisions that occurred during 2007 has decreased to its lowest level since 1998. A significant amount of these reductions include fatal collisions involving alcohol or commercial vehicles. Reductions are not limited to fatal collisions, however. Collisions involving injury and property damage have also been reduced. Many collision categories are the lowest they have been in seven to nine years.
I was fascinated by this story in Tucson: Gay cyclist’s DUI killer gets 10 1/2 years. What a twit. http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20080125/co_po/gaycyclistsduikillergets1012years
First let me say, I’m not a biker. However I counldn’t agree more with your observation. After witnessing another very bad biker accident today on 87 near Tonto Basin. I have to speak out. The number of bad accidents I have witinessed since coming to Arizonoa in 2005 far out numbers the total number I saw as an over- the- road marketing rep, in New Jersey, for 28 years! Here I only drive on the weekends now. The Beeline highway is out of control .DPS is doing very little about it. Lets start with enforcing the speed limit on pick-up trucks while TOWING, which I think is 55.
take care
Chris Hansel