Troopers Nab Trio in SR 347 Speeding Crackdown Arrests

Arizona’s highway patrol intensifies efforts on State Route 347, apprehending speeders and posting about these incidents on social media. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) reported a series of high-speed arrests over the weekend, underscoring the dangers of reckless driving.

On Saturday, a driver was apprehended traveling at 100 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone. This individual was booked for criminal speed and reckless driving, with their vehicle impounded by authorities.

AZDPS highlighted the seriousness of speeding, stating, “Speeding is the single largest contributing factor to fatal injury crashes. We don’t get any revenue from speeding tickets. We are tired of making tragically sad death notifications to grieving families.”

In another incident on Sunday, a motorcyclist was clocked at 98 miles per hour, also resulting in arrest for similar charges. Both the motorcycle and the car involved were impounded.

A third arrest occurred later that day when a Dodge Charger was recorded going 104 miles per hour in the same posted 65 mph zone. All three drivers face misdemeanors, risking jail time, probation, and steep fines; repeat offenders could lose their licenses.

Traffic analysis by the Maricopa Association of Governments revealed an alarming trend. From 2017 to 2022, SR 347 averaged a crash every other day, with the stretch near Riggs Road considered a “hotspot.” An overwhelming percentage of collisions are rear-end crashes, often linked to traffic congestion.

Statistics show at least seven fatalities occur annually on this roadway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Historical data indicates that the number of deaths on SR 347 has fluctuated: eight in 2017, seven in 2019, and nine in 2022.

ADOT reports that fatal accidents frequently arise in rural, poorly lit sections of this route, with speeding contributing to many of these tragedies. Recent studies have identified certain intersections along SR 347, including those at Riggs Road and Maricopa Road, as among the deadliest in the West.

InMaricopa attempted to reach the highway patrol for insight into future traffic enforcement strategies on SR 347; however, the traffic unit was unavailable for comment.