Intersections are common site of vehicle crashes. And Maricopa County is home to some of the most dangerous intersections in the western United States. A recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data by Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers identified the five Arizona intersections that are among the 10 most dangerous in the West. The study examined “intersection-related” crashes from 2004 to 2022.
Those five intersections, all of which are in the Valley, can be found in the rural southern area of the county, in Maryvale and in Buckeye.
In a press release sharing the study, Republican state Sen. David Farnsworth called for safety improvements to the state’s road systems by funding traffic lights, expanding lanes and fixing wonky road surfaces.
"Far too many of Arizona's roadways are filled with potholes, bumps, cracks, loose gravel or other unstable surfaces," Farnsworth wrote. "These treacherous conditions are contributing to a hazardous commute for drivers.”
Nervous on Arizona’s roads? Here are the intersections to avoid. Read more on each below.
5. Riggs Road and State Route 347
Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 5
Just north of Old Maricopa Road on SR 347, this rural four-way intersection in the Gila River Indian Reservation is part of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s focus on safety improvements along SR 347.
Following results from a 2023 Road Safety Assessment, the department installed new flashing signs ahead of the Riggs Road Intersection on both the northbound and southbound sides.
The wireless solar-powered signals, which begin flashing three seconds before the traffic signal turns yellow and continue flashing until the light turns green again, are intended to give drivers more time to react to signal changes, which should reduce the number of rear-end collisions.
4. Maricopa Road and State Route 347
Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 6
This dangerous intersection sits within the Gila River Indian Reservation.
It's also part of ADOT’s 2023 plan to improve safety on SR 347.
3. Hazen Road and State Route 85
Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 7
This intersection is where Hazen Road intersects the split-lane SR 85 in rural Buckeye and is littered with “Stop,” “One Way,” “Divided Highway” and “Do Not Enter” signs.
2. 59th Avenue and Indian School Road
Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 7
This traffic light-controlled intersection in Maryvale is flanked by bus stops on each corner. Grand Canyon University’s golf course overlooks the intersection, which is part of a $25 million improvement project. Announced in 2023, the project will make pedestrian safety improvements to Indian School Road between 39th and 91st avenues.
1. Broadway Road and State Route 85
Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 7
This rural four-way intersection in Buckeye is split by the busy SR-85 and sits just 3.6 miles from the Hazen Road intersection that holds the No. 3 spot. Several stop signs face drivers coming from Broadway Road’s turn lane, warning them that the system is a divided highway with two one-way roads going north and south.
As recently as Nov. 22, a deadly crash occurred at the intersection.
