Escalante’s Traffic Calming Projects: Are They Really Reducing Collisions?

If you’ve spent any time walking or driving through Escalante, you’ve probably noticed recent road changes—speed humps, narrower lanes, added sidewalks, new crosswalk signage. These traffic calming projects are part of Tempe’s efforts to make neighborhood streets safer. But do they actually work?

In this article, we’ll dive into how the changes are performing, what they’ve achieved so far, and why some crashes still slip through the cracks. If you’ve been injured in an Escalante collision—whether at a crosswalk, during a distracted driving incident, or while riding a bike—you’ll want to know how these measures factor into liability and compensation. Start with the Tempe car accident attorney homepage when you're ready for next steps.

What Are the Traffic Calming Measures?

Tempe’s initiatives in Escalante include:

• Speed humps placed on residential streets to slow traffic

• Narrowed lanes and curb extensions to reduce vehicle speed

• Improved crossing areas near parks and schools

• New signage, painted crosswalks, and pedestrian bulbs

According to a summary on tempe.gov, these efforts aim to reduce speed, improve visibility, and give drivers more cues to slow down. Early data show a modest drop in posted speeds—but officials are still evaluating declines in collision rates.

What the Data Shows—So Far

City traffic reports suggest that average speeds have dropped by 5–8 mph on treated streets. That’s good news—but slower speed doesn’t always equal fewer accidents.

Crash data from 2023 indicate a roughly 15% decrease in fender-benders, but no meaningful change in injury-causing accidents, including pedestrian and distracted-driving collisions. That suggests while the low-speed fender‐benders are down, more severe crashes are still happening.

However, these changes make a difference in insurance and injury claims. Even a small speed reduction can affect fault calculations or comparative negligence assessments under Arizona law—see the az.gov portal for details.

Why Serious Crashes Still Occur

1. Distracted Drivers Still Dominate

Even with slower speeds, drivers juggling phones, kids, or directions can miss pedestrians or cyclists entirely. The distracted driver accident page explores how inattention often overrides good infrastructure.

2. Pedestrian Visibility Is Still Poor

Sidewalk bulbs and crosswalk paint help—but only when drivers respect them. If crossings aren’t accompanied by flashing beacons or signals, collisions can still happen. The pedestrian accident lawyer page covers how liability works in crosswalk injuries.

3. Design Doesn’t Change Human Behavior

Some drivers speed between humps and then barrel through intersections. Others drift to avoid rough pavement, creating new hazards. Infrastructure can guide behavior—but not enforce it.

Real-World Examples from Escalante

• Speed hump near the community garden: Reduced average speed, but a recent crash caused whiplash injuries—and the driver did not brake in time. Lower speed helped reduce severity, but collisions still happen.

• Curb extensions at Naples Drive: Encouraged safer left turns, but side-impact crashes still occur when drivers misjudge gaps or phone distractions interfere.

Even minor collisions here can lead to serious injuries. If you've been hurt, gathering evidence—including speed data and design details—can strengthen your claim. Find guidance in our legal resources area.

How This Affects Liability in Tempe

When infrastructure slows speed, it changes contributory fault assessments—but it doesn’t remove them. Arizona’s comparative negligence system requires proof of driver behavior.

In jury trials, infrastructure is often used to question driver compliance:

• If a driver speeds over a hump, that may show recklessness

• Ignoring crosswalk indicators or bulbs can demonstrate negligence

That’s why, even with improved streets, strongly documented crashes—with photos, witnesses, or video—are still essential in injury claims. Tempe Police calls on injury collisions increase evidence availability; check azcourts.gov for how evidence is evaluated.

What Still Needs Improvement

To truly reduce serious crashes, neighborhood advocates are calling for added measures:

• Flashing beacons at major crossings

• Speed cameras or radar enforcement

• Real-time messaging signs that alert drivers to speed violations

• Better street lighting—especially during early morning or evening

Without these upgrades, infrastructure alone may not be enough to deter dangerous behavior—especially among repeat offenders or long-term habitual distracted drivers.

What to Do If You’re Injured in Escalante

1. Document the scene—even if infrastructure seems to have failed

2. Collect witness information, especially pedestrians or cyclists

3. Get medical attention, and don’t downplay it just because the crash seemed low-speed

4. Note roadway features—bulbs, signage, humps—as they can support liability arguments

5. Talk to someone with local knowledge, like an Escalante lawyer, to understand how site-specific factors affect your claim

These steps help build a case that shows not just that a crash happened—but why, and who’s responsible.

Final Thoughts

Traffic calming in Escalante has made measurable improvements, but it’s not a cure-all. Low-speed crashes have decreased, but serious injuries from distraction or poor visibility still occur. Drivers who ignore calming measures or remain distracted are still accountable.

If you’ve been injured in Escalante—or anywhere in Tempe—don’t assume infrastructure changes will protect your rights. Document the crash, understand the context, and get help where needed. Learn more through the Tempe car accident attorney homepage or our site’s legal guides.