There was, on average, one fatal traffic accident per month last year, despite Bullhead City seeing lower accident numbers overall.
Bullhead City Police Department reported 12 fatalities and 978 as of Dec. 27. It is the first time since 2020 accident statistics fell beneath 1,000 — but it was also the highest fatality rate reported by BCPD in the last six years.
In nearby Fort Mohave, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office reported one fatality, five injury accidents and 39 accidents involving only property damage in 2023. Mohave Valley likewise saw no fatalities, 20 injury accidents and 52 with only property damage.
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“I cannot speak for collisions that pre-date my involvement in supervising this unit, but speed and inattention remain atop the primary collision factors associated with collisions I have investigated and have overseen as supervisor of this unit,” said Traffic Section Supervisor Sergeant Eddie Espinoza.
Anita Mortensen, MCSO public information specialist, said after reviewing accident data since 2018, the most common factors were “impairment (both alcohol and substance), speed and not utilizing the appropriate safety equipment, such as seat belts and helmets/riding gear for motorcycles.”
Espinoza said no particular area seems to be prone to accidents than others, but it’s no secret Highway 95 sees many of the traffic fatalities in the Tri-state.
Per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracking data, of the accidents from 2017-2021, 13 fatal accidents occurred on or immediately adjacent to Highway 95 in Bullhead City.
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For comparison, fatal accidents along Bullhead Parkway numbered three, and there were four in the 86429 portion of Highway 68. The Fort Mohave/Mohave Valley portion of Highway 95 also saw six fatal accidents in the same time period.
Although 2023 statewide traffic statistics will not be available until the middle of the year, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported 119,991 accidents in 2022. Of those, 0.98% were fatal crashes.
ADOT found in 2022 that while rural crashes accounted for 13.68% of all accidents, they also accounted for 34.21% of all fatal crashes.
In 2022, there were 63 total fatal accidents with 71 deaths. Lake Havasu City saw the most with 11 fatal crashes and 11 deaths, followed by Bullhead City with nine fatal crashes with 12 deaths, Kingman with four fatal crashes and four deaths and Colorado City with a single fatal crash and death. The remaining 38 fatal accidents were in unincorporated county areas.
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Although the data differs slightly from BCPD’s numbers, it’s clear Bullhead City sees a high volume of traffic — and accidents — in the county.
Of course, there’s plenty drivers can do to reduce their chances of being in an accident.
“Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, keep from driving distracted, and be mindful of the speed of their vehicle when traveling,” Espinoza said.
BCPD encourages drivers to plan ahead and designate a driver or utilize ridesharing if plans include the consumption alcohol.
Drivers should also be aware that cannabis is an impairing substance and that drivers impaired by cannabis will be arrested for DUI under the laws of the state, he said.
Mortensen highly recommended travelers review ADOT’s driving safety tips before heading out on the road, which can be reviewed at azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/road-trip-safety.
