Tempe has placed memorial displays at intersections throughout the city to remember victims of fatal traffic accidents in 2023. Sunday is a World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The city recorded 50 serious collisions in 2023, resulting in 24 deaths and 34 serious injuries.
Ellie Volosin is the senior civil engineer with Tempe’s Traffic Engineering Department.
“So 2023 was an uptick for us. And I think it was also an uptick across the state. If you look at the statewide data, 2023 had more crashes than the previous years," he said.
In 2022, Tempe became the first city in Arizona to adopt a Vision Zero resolution – joining a national collaboration that aims to eliminate traffic fatalities entirely. Volosin says the city continues to make efforts to protect people, including the recent approval of red-light cameras at 14 major intersections.
“I think it's just important to remember those who have died in traffic collisions, to remember that the reason we do these safety improvements is for these human beings, our neighbors, to ensure that everyone gets home safely," Volosin said.
