Arizona Receives Low Rating for Traffic Safety Laws
- Home / Auto Accidents /
- Arizona Receives Low Rating for Traffic Safety Laws
February 14, 2017
Arizona has been rated as one of the worst states in the U.S. for driver and passenger protection due to the lack of traffic safety laws.
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS), a consumer-based group, released its annual Roadmap Report of State Highway Safety Laws, which indicates that the majority of states in the U.S. are in need of significant improvement to traffic laws protecting drivers and passengers.
The AHAS’s rankings were based on each state’s compliance with 15 traffic safety laws the group says are necessary for preventing fatal auto accidents. These laws include penalties and prevention of impaired driving, seat belt enforcement, distracted driving, speeding, passenger safety and child protection.
States were grouped together by a color-rating system based on the number of these laws that were enacted during 2016:
- Green: States that have 11 to 15 traffic safety laws that include both primary and rear seat belt enforcement laws and an all-rider helmet law.
- Yellow: States that have six to 10 traffic laws that enforce both primary and rear seat belt laws, or more than seven without both front and rear primary enforcement seatbelt laws.
- Red: States that have less than seven traffic laws and require both primary and rear seat belt laws.
Arizona ranks third among the 17 states that received a “red” rating by the AHAS. The state ranked low in the nation due to its lack of laws that prevent texting and driving, front and rear seat belt enforcement, and an all rider motorcycle helmet law.
The 2017 Roadmap Report revealed that 376 laws need to become common practice across the U.S. for traffic safety to increase:
- Primary enforcement of seat belts: The report determined that 16 states need to pass an optimal primary enforcement seat belt law for front seat passengers and 32 states need a law that enforces backseat passenger seat belt use.
- All-rider motorcycle helmet law: 31 states are in need of a law that requires all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet.
- Booster seats: Optimal booster seat laws are needed in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
- Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) for teen drivers: To ensure the safety of novice drivers, a total of 213 GDL laws needs to be implemented throughout the U.S. No state currently has all seven provisions necessary of a GDL law.
- Impaired driving: There are 35 impaired driving laws that need to be enacted in 33 states.
- All-driver text messaging restriction: Only nine states require laws that would enact an all-driver texting ban.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there were 27,875 auto-related fatalities during the first nine months of 2016. Arizona safety officials have reported that nearly 900 deaths were associated with auto accidents in the state during 2015.
The AHAS cites that the high number of traffic fatalities reported in 2015 and the approximate total for the first three quarters of 2016 are due to states that failed to incorporate basic traffic safety laws.
While the AHAS report details Arizona’s need to reform several of its traffic laws, state officials disagree.
Arizona’s director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Alberto Gutier, noted that the state has some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding impaired driving and believes recent crackdowns on aggressive driving and speeding have significantly improved highway safety.
However, Arizona has finished in the lowest rankings of the Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws for the past five years.
Incorporating adequate traffic safety laws is an important step to ensuring the safety of drivers on state roads and highways. Drivers who cause accidents due to neglectful or aggressive behavior can be held liable for the damage they cause. Contact the Phoenix car accident attorneys at the Phillips Law Group for a free, no obligation consultation to determine if you are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages. We will not charge you any fees unless we successfully recover damages for your claim.
Call 1-800-706-3000 if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident.
Free Case Evaluation
By submitting your contact information, you agree that we may contact you by telephone (including text) and email in accordance with our Terms and Privacy Policy

Your message has been sent
Thank you for your message, we will get back to you soon.
Categories:
- Auto Accidents
- Business Litigation
- Class Action Lawsuits
- Defective Drug
- Defective Products
- Employee Rights
- Employment Law
- Firm News
- Local
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Pedestrian Accident
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip and Fall
- Social Security Disability
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful Death
-
I have been with Phillips Law Group for a little over a year and I have learned what teamwork and family in a workplace looks like. There is always someone around to lend a helping hand, which is something I appreciate and cherish. I feel a sense of joy coming to work every day because of my co-workers as well as being able to help people in what can be a scary and stressful situation. I currently work as a Litigation Legal Assistant with an amazing team. When I started here, I was not very knowledgeable in personal injury. I was lucky to have been placed with an amazing team who was willing to take time to teach and pass on some great skills that have been a huge aid in helping me be successful in my position. I would recommend working here at Phillips Law Group, because they care about their employees and there is so much room for growth.
-
Juan Roque has been integral with my legal needs. Communication has been easy. He conveys information I can easily understand without a lot of "Legal Fluff" jargon. I will certainly do business with Phillips Legal team again and refer them to my friends and family.
-
I didn’t know anything about the area, and Phillips Law Group just took care of everything. They helped made sure I knew where I was going, made sure I didn’t have to worry. They literally just took care of me.
-
If you are in need of legal support for a motor vehicle collision of any kind, I highly recommend going to Phillips Law Group Injury Lawyers. Sean Davis has exemplary knowledge and experience in this field, compassion for his clients, and excellent judgment and communication skills.
-
I’ve been working at Phillips Law Group for nearly four years and I can confidently say this is the best personal injury firm in Arizona to work for. The firm is the best for numerous reasons but to start, Phillips Law Group gives employees opportunities for promotions and growth. I started working within the settlement department, moved to a paralegal assistant and grew to be a pre-litigation paralegal with my own case load. Each attorney I have worked for is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to talk to. Secondly, I love how Phillips Law shows appreciation for employees. They host Friday Zoom Huddles giving out PTO, goodie bags, special shout outs, bonuses and gift cards. They also host extravagant holiday parties and fun contests during the Holidays! Lastly, the firm cares about giving back to the community, which is a trait I value as well. It’s rewarding to see a fast paced firm taking time out of their busy day to pay it forward. I would highly recommend working at Phillips Law Group!
-
Definitely recommend! Awesome
-
Jasmine , did a great job . Highly recommend!!!!!
-
Jasmine helped me so so much I want to thank her ! And also Aaron , i was always scared after an accident , knowing I would have to deal with lawyers but not here . Luckily I’ve only been in 3 accidents but this time it was fast and easy . And i received all the treatments I needed to help me recover ! Thank you Jasmine and Aaron!
-
Jasmine Delgado is an amazing paralegal. She was patient, kind and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend Phillips law group
-
I would like to send special thanks to Phillips Law Group for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Best Law Firm here in the Valley. During these troubling times with the epidemic, Phillips Law Group has masterfully created this family-like environment while still maintaining a professional and business-like approach for all their clients. Thru impeccable leadership that is unmatched by other law firms to the Multi-diverse employment opportunities that many employees advance within the firm; Phillips Law Group has not only distanced themselves from all other competition in the Personal Injury field but also has innovatively changed the narrative of being a great law institution. From providing Employee Appreciation Day to celebrating all major Holiday including great competitive contests; Phillips Law Group has the total participation of all employees to help contribute to the continued success of this firm. So in closing I would like to thank Senior Administration (Jeffery Phillips, Eva Chiaramonte, and Tim Tonkin) along with all of my colleagues and many friends for help making Phillips Law Group a unique and wonderful place to call my place of employment for 6+ years.