Fatal Roads

States › Arizona › 2021

2021

Arizona · year

Arizona in 2021

Deaths 1,192Fatal crashes 1,076Per 100,000 16.4US deaths 43,230

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2021.

In 2021, 1,192 people died in 1,076 fatal crashes in Arizona, 16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.

The death toll rose 13% from 1,053 in 2020 to 1,192 in 2021.

Arizona accounted for 2.8% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

19.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on minor arterial roads (42%).

37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.

Compared with 2020 and the nation

MeasureArizona 2021Arizona 2020United States 2021
Deaths1,1921,05343,230
Fatal crashes1,07696639,785
Deaths per 100,000 residents16.414.713.0
Crashes with a drinking driver20%18%26%

Counties in 2021

Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 15 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Maricopa County55860613.05,330
Pima County15516114.91,451
Mohave County547030.9561
Pinal County495711.1713
Yavapai County495722.6528
Coconino County424631.7520
Navajo County344036.5410
Yuma County262812.7253
Cochise County222822.3259
Gila County232749.9219
Apache County232538.6318
Graham County162049.797
La Paz County1618105.9185
Santa Cruz County8815.867
Greenlee County1–21–2—14

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am3.9%
1am3.1%
2am3.1%
3am3.3%
4am2.9%
5am3.2%
6am3.2%
7am4%
8am2.9%
9am1.9%
10am3.3%
11am2.4%
12pm4%
1pm4.2%
2pm4%
3pm3.8%
4pm4.7%
5pm4.9%
6pm7.3%
7pm6.2%
8pm7.3%
9pm4.9%
10pm6.8%
11pm4.6%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday11%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday12%
Thursday14%
Friday18%
Saturday17%

Road type

Minor arterial42%
Other principal arterial29%
Major collector10%
Other freeways and expressways8%
Interstate7%
Minor collector2%
Local2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Arizona in 2021?

1,192 people in 1,076 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 16.4 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Arizona had the most crash deaths in 2021?

Maricopa County with 606 deaths in 558 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Arizona?

1,192 deaths against 1,053 in 2020 (+13%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.