20 Feb Top 5 Causes of Car Accidents in Tucson in 2025
Due to a variety of factors, driving in Tucson can be perilous. In fact, it is one of the deadliest cities in the U.S. for vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Even if you are an attentive and cautious driver, there are many hazards on the road that could lead to a collision during your daily commute. Here’s a closer look at the most common causes of car accidents in Tucson in 2025.
- Driving Under the Influence
Although Arizona has some of the strictest penalties for driving under the influence, intoxicated drivers are still responsible for a significant number of collisions in Tucson. Driving under the influence not only includes drunk driving, but also driving under the influence of marijuana, illegal drugs, and even prescription medications. Impaired driving is most common in the evenings and around major holidays, so be particularly diligent and aware when driving during these times.
- Speeding
Simply not following the posted speed limit is a major contributor of car accidents in Tucson. In fact, speeding was a factor in 1 in 5 fatal crashes in the state of Arizona in 2024. When you are driving too fast, your vehicle becomes harder to control, and you have less time to make quick decisions and react to other drivers. Speeding is also frequently accompanied by aggressive behaviors like tailgating or weaving in and out of traffic.
- Left Turn Collisions
Drivers will often try to beat a red light when making left turns, and this can easily lead to serious T-bone collisions at major intersections. Adding to the confusion is the inconsistency in intersection design throughout Tucson and the surrounding areas. Many intersections have adopted the indirect left turn, or Michigan left, in which drivers are supposed to make a U-turn several hundred feet after the intersection and then turn right at the intersection. Other intersections have a leading left turn arrow, while others have no left turn arrow at all or prohibit making a left turn without an arrow.
- Failing to Yield the Right of Way
Failing to yield the right of way is a common reason for vehicle collisions because other drivers will not expect a vehicle to ignore a stop sign, pull out from a driveway into traffic, or make a left turn before oncoming traffic has cleared. Following driving laws and maintaining a predictable flow of traffic is essential for making our roadways safe. However, this is another area where different styles of infrastructure have caused confusion for local drivers, as the rules are not consistent throughout the city.
- Unsafe Lane Changes
Especially when driving on the interstate, changing lanes can be dangerous, as many drivers do so without signaling or when there is not enough room for them to safely move across lanes of traffic.
If you’ve been in an accident in Tucson, National Auto Collision Centers is here for you with collision repair services for minor collisions and major accidents. With three auto body repair shops in the Tucson area, we offer convenient, reliable service from highly trained and certified technicians. Contact us to schedule your service. We have free 24-hour towing available.