Traffic fatalities in Arizona took a big jump in 2022. It’s the third consecutive year the number has risen.

Fatalities on Arizona roads climbed 8.6% last year, to 1,294.

Although lane departures were the No. 1 factor, the number of speed-related deaths in 2022 was 426. That’s an increase from the prior year as well.

The Arizona Department of Transportation compiles the yearly statistics and said last year marked the second highest fatality total, behind only 2006.

Alcohol-related crashes resulting in fatalities showed a slight dip in 2022, but still accounted for 223 deaths.

Other findings

There were 302 pedestrian fatalities during 2022, a 16.2% increase from 260 in 2021. Forty-eight bicyclists died in crashes during 2022 compared to 45 in 2021. Bicycle-related fatalities have risen each year since 2018.

There were 228 motorcyclist fatalities in crashes during 2022, a 36.5% increase from 167 during 2021. Nearly three times as many motorcycle crashes involved riders and passengers wearing helmets, yet 42% of the fatalities in which authorities could determine helmet use involved riders and passengers who weren’t wearing helmets.

Overall, failure to use a safety device, such as a seat belt or helmet, declined slightly in 2022 as a factor in traffic fatalities. The 364 fatalities and 944 injuries from not using a safety device, accounting for 38.6% and 6.6% of the totals, respectively. In 2021, there were 379 fatalities and 3,224 injuries in which individuals didn’t use safety devices, accounting for 42.7% and 6.6% of the totals, respectively.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to correct the top factor in fatal crashes.