PHOENIX — Arizona is among the best in the country in business and population growth, but it’s also near the top of a list that it would rather avoid: pedestrian deaths.

There were more than 7,300 pedestrians killed nationwide in 2023, including 271 who were struck by a vehicle while walking on Arizona roadways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

As a percentage of the population, Arizona ranks second in the nation for pedestrian fatalities at 3.57 deaths per 100,000 people, trailing only New Mexico’s rate of 4.93.

Pedestrian deaths were on the decline for decades but have risen sharply since 2009. The country has seen a 78% increase in pedestrian deaths from 2009-2023, compared to just 13% in all other traffic deaths.

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