Thanksgiving 2023 — Arizona's Most Dangerous Travel Weekend

Thanksgiving week is here, and Arizona’s highways will be packed. I-10 to Tucson, I-17 to Flagstaff, and every major arterial in the Valley will see dramatically increased traffic. Add holiday drinking to the mix, and the result is predictable — more crashes, more injuries, more deaths.

By the Numbers

Our crash data analysis shows that fatal crashes spike during holiday weekends. The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest drinking nights of the year nationally, and Arizona is no exception. DUI enforcement ramps up — but so does impaired driving.

The I-17 Corridor

If you’re heading to Flagstaff or Sedona for Thanksgiving, the I-17 corridor between Black Canyon City and Flagstaff is particularly dangerous. Winding grades, elevation changes, and potential for early winter weather conditions combine with holiday traffic volume. Leave early, drive defensively, and check AZ 511 for real-time conditions.

Your Holiday Driving Checklist

Use a designated driver or rideshare if you’re drinking. Increase following distance in heavy traffic. Put your phone down — distracted driving in stop-and-go holiday traffic is the easiest way to cause a rear-end collision. Rest before long drives — fatigue is a factor in many highway crashes. And make sure your UIM coverage is adequate before you hit the road.

If you’re in a holiday crash, follow the accident checklist and call the Law Badgers. We hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.