Pima County Needs Safer Roads, Not Another Sales Tax

Columnist argues that enforcing traffic laws and updating user-based fees, not a new sales tax, is the solution to the region's road safety crisis.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The writer argues that Pima County is facing a serious road safety crisis, with traffic fatalities and injuries reaching record highs in recent years. However, the columnist believes that extending a half-cent sales tax, as proposed in Propositions 418 and 419, is not the solution. Instead, the writer suggests that the county should focus on enhanced traffic enforcement, a modernized gas tax, and updated vehicle registration fees - tools that can both improve safety and generate revenue without burdening all households through a sales tax increase.

Why it matters

Pima County's high traffic fatality and injury rates are taking a significant economic toll, driving up costs for taxpayers, medical expenses, and insurance premiums. The writer believes the county has the tools to address this crisis without resorting to a new sales tax that would impact all residents.

The details

Data shows Pima County has seen a surge in traffic deaths, with 168 fatalities in 2024, including 52 pedestrians, 31 motorcyclists, and 9 bicyclists. The economic burden of these crashes is estimated to reach hundreds of millions annually. Studies indicate 40-70% of drivers exceed posted speed limits, yet very few receive citations. The writer argues that even modest increases in traffic enforcement could generate $38-$76 million per year in revenue, while also reducing dangerous driving behaviors.

  • In 2024, Pima County recorded 168 traffic deaths.
  • In 2021, there were 161 traffic deaths.
  • In 2020, there were 162 traffic deaths.
  • By December 2025, nearly 100 deaths were recorded in Tucson alone.

The players

Pima County

The county in Arizona that is facing a serious road safety crisis, with rising traffic fatalities and injuries.

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What they’re saying

“Pima County's fatality and injury crisis is real and urgent. But raising sales taxes is not the solution. Enforcing the laws we already have and modernizing the user‑based revenue tools we've neglected for 35 years is.”

— Howard Weiss, Columnist (tucson.com)

What’s next

Voters in Pima County will decide on Propositions 418 and 419, which would extend a half-cent sales tax, on March 20.

The takeaway

Pima County can address its road safety crisis through enhanced traffic enforcement, updating the gas tax and vehicle registration fees, rather than burdening all residents with a new sales tax. This approach would improve safety, reduce costs, and generate revenue from the drivers responsible for the dangerous behaviors.