Study Uncovers SR 347 Intersections as Deadliest in Western U.S.

A memorial for Vanity Chavez, who tragically lost her life in a rollover crash on State Route 347 in February 2022, serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers that plague this notorious highway. Recent data has substantiated concerns about its safety, with two intersections on SR 347 ranked among the top ten most dangerous in the Western United States.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Riggs Road at SR 347 has recorded the fourth highest number of collisions at a signalized intersection across all state highways over the past five years. In a story published by Stacker, a focus on fatal traffic incidents from 2004 to 2022 highlighted these perilous intersections, underscoring the alarming statistics.

The report drew on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to assess hazard levels across the Western U.S. It identified SR 347, in conjunction with eight other problematic intersections in the Phoenix area, California, and Idaho, as particularly treacherous.

Notably, improvements have been made at the Maricopa Road intersection, where a traffic signal and southbound acceleration lane were installed in late 2022. This change may have lessened risks, given that the analysis covered up to that point. From 2004 to 2022, five fatal crashes resulted in six fatalities at Maricopa Road and SR 347, emphasizing the need for effective safety measures.

Conversely, Riggs Road continues to be a hotspot for dangerous collisions, with an astonishing record of five fatal crashes and five fatalities during the same analysis period. The statistics reveal that more than two-thirds of incidents are rear-end collisions, with peak crash times occurring between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Brent Cain, an ADOT division director, characterized these incidents as typical commuter crashes, noting the significant activity during morning and evening commuting hours. A staggering 967 crashes were reported on SR 347 between July 2017 and June 2022, averaging nearly one crash every other day. While many collisions resulted in no injuries, serious incidents were recorded, including 21 severe injuries and 15 fatalities along this critical artery.