These Are the Most Dangerous Vehicles on Arizona Roads

I still remember the call. The wavering voice of our mutual friend and the words, “He’s gone. We lost him.”

Our world shook in that moment. It took some time for the news to hit home the day we lost a friend after a motorcycle crash. Driving down a dark road in Cochise County, he crashed with another vehicle and was gone in an instant. It wasn’t reckless. It just happened. And the data shows stories like his are far too common.

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a motorcycle parked on the side of a road

The Vehicles Behind the Most Deaths

We hear a lot about vehicle safety ratings these days, and while there have been great improvements in the last few decades, our roadways are still dangerous.

In terms of total crashes and fatalities, light trucks, SUVs, pickups, and vans are at the top of the list. These account for about 43% of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Passenger cars account for around 32% of all road accidents.

These vehicles are the most common on Arizona roads. Statewide, there are more than 120,000 crashes a year and over 1,300 fatalities, according to AZCentral.com.

READ MORE: Vehicle Brand Involved in the Most Fatal Accidents in Arizona

a car that has been involved in a car accident

Why Motorcycles Are the Most Dangerous Overall

While passenger vehicles make up the greatest number of total crashes, there’s one form of transport that eclipses these numbers when you take the statistics as a whole.

Despite fewer total crashes, motorcycles are the most dangerous mode of transportation per rider, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ADOT tracks these numbers separately due to their high severity.

white helmet beside black backpack on road

Here are the key reasons motorcycles are more dangerous:

• No protection (no airbags, no seat belts, no frame)
• Higher fatality rates per crash
• Riders are ejected at a much higher rate than passengers in automobiles.
• Lower visibility to other drivers
• Less stability on two wheels

Motorcycles account for about 11% of vehicles in fatal crashes, a disproportionately high share given how few are on the road.

READ: Understanding Arizona's Vehicle Headlight Regulations And Safety

man on black cruiser motorcycle in highway

Helmet Laws and the Bottom Line in Arizona

Arizona’s lax helmet law doesn’t help riders survive a crash, either.  Arizona has a partial helmet law: helmets are required for riders under 18, but optional for adults.

The vehicles causing the most roadway deaths in Arizona are SUVs and pickups because they’re everywhere, but the most dangerous ride is still motorcycles.

a red and yellow helicopter flying over a building

A single crash is far more likely to turn fatal, as we found out when we lost our dear friend. If you or someone you love enjoys the freedom of riding a motorcycle, invest in top-quality safety equipment and a helmet. The life you save may be your own.