There are three factors that increase the risk of freeway accidents in Arizona:
- Speed
- Volume
- Lack of Attention
Drivers travel at speeds of 65 and 85 mph – or more – on Arizona freeways. Not only does this decrease the time drivers have to react to dangerous conditions, but it also results in much more serious accidents. Crashes at freeway speeds often result in catastrophic injuries to everyone involved.
In addition to speed, the fact that road noise is much louder when traveling at freeway speeds makes it harder for drivers to be aware of their surroundings. When drivers are less aware of what’s going on around them, it makes it more likely that they will be involved in accidents.
Finally, lack of attention on freeways is another factor that increases the likelihood of accidents. While drivers should be paying more attention to the road when they are driving faster and with less situational awareness, they often are more distracted on the freeway. The fact that freeways do not have stop signs or lights and often have a steady flow of traffic often lulls drivers into a false sense of security. This is why you often see drivers on the freeway texting, eating, or looking around at the scenery.
This terrible trio of speed, volume, and lack of attention often leads to catastrophic accidents on freeways in Arizona and makes them much more dangerous than regular roadways. Fortunately, in many cases, victims can recover.
