Arizona Crash Report: How to Get Yours and Read Every Code

The light at the time of the crash, recorded for every crash.

• 1DaylightFrom sunup to sundown.
• 2DawnThe change from dark to daylight, usually the 30 minutes before sunrise.
• 3DuskThe change from daylight to dark, usually the 30 minutes after sunset.
• 4Dark, LightedNo daylight, but overhead street lighting at the crash site. Light from stores, homes or parking lots does not count.
• 5Dark, Not LightedNo daylight and no overhead street lighting where the crash happened.
• 6Dark, Unknown LightingDark, and the officer could not tell whether street lighting was there.
• 51UnknownUsed when the time of the crash is not known.

The main weather at the time of the crash. It is recorded whether or not the weather played any part.

• 1ClearIncludes some cloud, as long as sunlight was not reduced.
• 2CloudyOvercast, or partly cloudy with reduced light.
• 3Sleet, Hail (freezing rain or drizzle)Precipitation falling as ice.
• 4Rain
• 5Snow or Blowing SnowFalling snow, or snow on the ground lifted by wind across the road.
• 7Blowing Sand, Soil, DirtDust or sand lifted by wind that cut visibility: a dust storm.
• 8Fog, Smog, Smoke
• 50OtherAny other condition that cut visibility, or severe weather such as a severe thunderstorm, named on the form or in the narrative.
• 51Unknown

The belt, child seat or helmet each person was using, coded in the SD column.

• 0Not ApplicableFor a parked or driverless vehicle, or a pedestrian. Never used for a motorcycle rider or a cyclist.
• 1None UsedNo belt or child seat. For a motorcycle rider or a cyclist, no helmet.
• 2Lap BeltLap belt only, because the vehicle has no shoulder belt or it was not worn.
• 3Shoulder and Lap BeltBoth parts of the belt buckled.
• 4Child Restraint SystemThe child was buckled into a safety seat. The code does not say the seat was used correctly.
• 5Helmet UsedA helmet on a motorcycle, moped, scooter or all terrain vehicle, and also on a cyclist or a skateboarder.
• 50OtherAnother restraint, such as a racing harness, explained in the narrative.
• 51UnknownThe officer could not tell, and should explain why in the narrative.

Whether an airbag went off at that person’s seat, and which kind.

• 0Not ApplicableA pedestrian or cyclist, a seat with no airbag, or a vehicle without airbags such as a motorcycle.
• 1Deployed, FrontThe airbag in the steering wheel or the dashboard.
• 2Deployed, Side (door, seatback)An airbag in the outer side of the seat or in the door.
• 3Deployed, Curtain (roof)The head airbag that drops from the roof rail beside the windows, including rollover curtains.
• 4Deployed, Other (knee, airbelt)Another type, such as a knee airbag.
• 5Deployed, CombinationMore than one airbag went off at this seat.
• 6Deployed, Unknown LocationAn airbag went off at this seat, but its location is not known.
• 7Not DeployedNo airbag went off at this seat.

The most serious injury each person had, on the national KABCO scale. ADOT numbers the levels 1 to 5; the letter in brackets is the national code.

• 1No Injury (O)No reason to believe the person was hurt: no physical sign of injury and no complaint.
• 2Possible Injury (C)An injury claimed or reported with nothing visible, such as a complaint of pain or nausea, limping, or a moment of lost consciousness.
• 3Suspected Minor Injury (B)An injury visible at the scene, such as a bump on the head, scrapes, bruises or small cuts.
• 4Suspected Serious Injury (A)A severe cut, a broken or misshapen arm or leg, a crush injury, a suspected skull, chest or abdominal injury, serious burns, unconsciousness when taken from the scene, or paralysis.
• 5Fatal Injury (K)Death within 30 days of the crash. If a person dies later, the code is changed to 5 and a Fatal Supplement is added.
• 51Unknown or Not ReportedThe form prints 51; ADOT’s manual numbers this code 99. It is meant only for a person who was not there when the officer investigated.

Where each person sat. The first digit is the row, the second the place in it: 11 is the driver’s seat.

• 11Front row, left sideThe driver’s seat. Officers assume the driver sat here unless the narrative says otherwise.
• 12Front row, middle
• 13Front row, right side
• 18Front row, otherSuch as a child on a lap.
• 21Second row, left side
• 22Second row, middle
• 23Second row, right side
• 28Second row, another passengerAn extra passenger in that row.
• 31Third row, left side
• 32Third row, middle
• 33Third row, right side
• 38Third row, another passenger
• 40Enclosed cargo or passenger areaIncluding a fifth row.
• 41Unenclosed cargo areaSuch as the bed of a pickup.
• 42Riding on the outside of the vehicle
• 50Other
• 51Unknown

The class printed on the driver’s license.

• ACommercial driverClass A commercial license.
• BCommercial driverClass B commercial license.
• CCommercial driverClass C commercial license.
• DOperatorThe standard Arizona license for cars and light trucks.
• GGraduatedThe license for young drivers, with age based limits.

Endorsements on the license.

• HHazardous materials
• MMotorcycle
• NTank vehicle
• PBusPassenger vehicles.
• SSchool bus
• TDouble or triple trailers
• XTank vehicle carrying hazardous materials

Where each vehicle was first hit. The officer circles every area that applies on a small drawing of the vehicle seen from above, its front at area 1.

• 0NoneNo visible damage.
• 1Front
• 2Right front corner
• 3Right side
• 4Right rear corner
• 5Rear
• 6Left rear corner
• 7Left sideThe driver’s side.
• 8Left front corner
• 9TopThe roof.
• 10UndercarriageDamage below the body, including hits to the wheels.
• 51Unknown

Who owns damaged property other than the vehicles, such as a sign, a pole or a fence.

• 1PrivateProperty outside the road right of way that no government owns.
• 2Public UtilitySuch as APS, SRP or a rural water district.
• 3Federal GovernmentSuch as the fence of a military base or a veterans hospital.
• 4State of Arizona
• 5County in Arizona
• 6City in Arizona
• 7Tribal Nation
• 51Unknown

The road surface for each unit, recorded whether or not it played a part.

• 1Dry
• 2WetWater from rain or melted snow.
• 3Snow or Slush
• 5Ice or Frost
• 6Water (standing or moving)An unusual amount of water, such as a flooded wash or a pooled lane.
• 8Mud, Dirt, Gravel, SandMaterial lying on the road, not a dirt road by design.
• 50OtherSuch as spilled grain, wet leaves or a spilled liquid.
• 51Unknown

The slope of the road in each unit’s direction of travel.

• 1Level
• 2Downhill
• 3Uphill
• 51Unknown

Where the first event happened compared with an intersection, ramp, crossing or driveway. For an intersection, the officer also marks Four Way, T or Other.

• 0Not Junction Related
• 1Intersection (within)Inside the area where the roads cross.
• 2Intersection RelatedOn the approach to or the exit from an intersection, and caused by traffic moving through it. In Arizona this is normally within 150 feet, or farther when traffic is backed up: a rear end crash in a line stopped at a red light counts.
• 3Entrance or Exit Ramp
• 4Railway Grade Crossing
• 7Driveway or Alley AccessTraffic going into or out of a driveway or alley, including crossing from one driveway to another.
• 50OtherSuch as a frontage road.
• 51Unknown

Whether the road was one way or two way, and whether a median or barrier separated the directions.

• 1One Way TrafficwayIncluding ramps and one way streets.
• 2Two Way, Not DividedOnly a painted yellow center line, or no markings.
• 3Two Way, Not Divided, Continuous Left Turn LaneA shared center turn lane for both directions.
• 4Two Way, Divided, Unprotected MedianA median wider than 4 feet, raised, grass or flush, with no barrier in it.
• 5Two Way, Divided, Positive Median BarrierA concrete wall, guardrail or cable barrier between the directions. Trees, curbs and rumble strips do not count.
• 51Unknown

The sign, signal or person that controlled each unit, recorded whether or not it played a part. With more than one, the officer picks the one that mattered most.

• 0No ControlsNone present. A control that was knocked down, hidden or not working is not coded 0.
• 1SignalA green, yellow and red signal.
• 2Stop Sign
• 3Yield Sign
• 4Warning SignA sign warning of a hazard ahead, such as a curve.
• 5Railroad Crossing Sign
• 6Flashing Traffic SignalFlashing red or yellow, including a signal on its night flash cycle.
• 7PersonA police officer, crossing guard or flagger directing traffic.
• 8Traffic Circle or Roundabout
• 9Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK)The overhead crosswalk beacon that stops traffic only when someone presses the button.
• 50Other
• 51Unknown

Whether the road was straight or curved before each vehicle’s first harmful event.

• 1Straight
• 2Curve Left
• 3Curve Right
• 51Unknown

The lane each unit was in before the first event. Through lanes are counted from the median or center line outward.

• 0Two way continuous left turn laneThe shared center turn lane.
• 1Through lane 1The lane next to the median or center line.
• 2Through lane 2
• 3Through lane 3
• 4Through lane 4
• 5Through lane 5
• 6Through lane 6
• 7Through lane 7
• 8Through lane 8
• 9Through lane 9
• 10Crosswalk
• L1Left turn lane 1The first left turn only lane after the median or center line; L2 and higher count outward.
• L2Left turn lane 2
• R1Right turn lane 1The first right turn lane after the through lanes; R2 and higher count outward.
• R2Right turn lane 2
• SWSidewalk
• BLDedicated bike lane
• HOVHigh occupancy vehicle laneThe carpool lane.
• 49Non roadway
• 50Other
• 51Unknown

How two moving vehicles first came together. When a pedestrian or cyclist was hit, it follows what the vehicle was doing, so a car turning left into a cyclist is coded Left Turn.

• 1Single VehicleNo collision between two moving motor vehicles.
• 2Angle (front to side)The front of one vehicle into the side of another, other than a left turn: the T bone crash.
• 3Left TurnVehicles coming from opposite directions, at least one of them turning left.
• 4Rear End (front to rear)
• 5Head On (front to front)Other than a left turn.
• 6Sideswipe, Same DirectionSide to side contact while traveling the same way, with no real involvement of the front or rear.
• 7Sideswipe, Opposite Direction
• 10U TurnOne vehicle was making a U turn.
• 50OtherSuch as the end of one vehicle swiping another, cargo thrown onto another vehicle, or a rider thrown into another vehicle.
• 51Unknown

The compass direction each unit was moving before the first event. For a parked or stopped vehicle, the way it faced.

• 1North
• 2South
• 3East
• 4West
• 5Northwest
• 6Northeast
• 7Southwest
• 8Southeast
• 51Unknown

Conditions of the environment, the road or the vehicle that may have contributed, up to two per unit. Driver behavior goes in block 22, not here. A separate box, Possible Road Rage Incident, is checked when the officer believes angry or aggressive behavior was involved.

• 0No Contributing CircumstanceThe officer saw no environment, road or vehicle condition that may have contributed.
• 1AGlare: SunlightThe angle of the sun cut visibility, directly or by reflection.
• 2APhysical Obstruction: Stopped or Parked VehicleA parked or stopped vehicle blocked the view.
• 2BPhysical Obstruction: Moving VehicleAnother moving vehicle blocked the view.
• 2CPhysical Obstruction: Load on VehicleAn object carried on a vehicle blocked the view.
• 2DPhysical Obstruction: Tree, Shrub, BushVegetation blocked the view.
• 3Road Surface ConditionThe surface recorded in block 12 contributed.
• 4DebrisObjects too small to block a lane that could still cause damage or a loss of control, such as tire tread, glass or lost cargo.
• 5Work ZoneThe crash was in or related to a construction, maintenance or utility work zone, with or without workers present. Includes vehicles slowed or stopped by it before the first sign.
• 6Obstruction in RoadwaySomething big enough to block all or part of a lane, such as a fallen tree or a boulder.
• 7Changing Road WidthThe road narrowed for a while because of debris, drifting snow or flooding. Work zone narrowing is code 5.
• 8Non Highway WorkWork near the road that was not road work.
• 12TiresA defective, worn or wrongly sized tire. Damage caused by the crash itself does not count.
• 50OtherAnother environment or vehicle condition, named on the form or in the narrative.
• 51UnknownThe officer believes a condition contributed but could not tell which.

What distracted each driver, inside or outside the vehicle.

• 0Not Distracted or Not ApplicableThe officer judged the driver fully attentive. Also used for a parked or driverless vehicle and for pedestrians.
• 1Talking on Hands Free DeviceA headset or the car’s own phone system.
• 2Talking on Hand Held DeviceA phone held in the hand.
• 3PassengerTalking to, looking at or dealing with a passenger, including children.
• 4Other Activity, Electronic DeviceA navigation unit, radio, DVD player or another device.
• 5Manually Operating an Electronic DeviceTexting, typing or dialing.
• 6Other Inside the VehicleEating, drinking, reading, makeup, shaving, an animal.
• 7Outside the VehicleSuch as a crash in another lane, a billboard or a highway sign.
• 50Distracted, Unknown ReasonDistracted, but by what is not known.
• 51Unknown if DistractedThe officer could not tell.

The condition of each driver, pedestrian or cyclist that may relate directly to the crash, up to three per unit. Beside it, the DRE boxes record a drug recognition expert’s part.

• 0No Apparent InfluenceThe officer suspected nothing abnormal.
• 1Illness or Physical ImpairmentSuch as a seizure, a diabetic or allergic reaction, a heart attack, fainting, or a disability related to the crash.
• 3Fell Asleep or FatiguedNot because of drugs, alcohol or illness.
• 4AlcoholMarked when the officer had probable cause for a DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1381 and a blood, breath or urine sample was taken.
• 5Illegal DrugsSuspected, such as methamphetamine or cocaine.
• 6MedicationsA prescription or over the counter drug, suspected.
• 7MarijuanaSuspected.
• 8Medical Marijuana Card PresentedThe person showed an Arizona medical marijuana card.
• 50OtherAn emotional condition the officer believes contributed, such as anger or a fight, explained in the narrative.
• 51Unknown Condition
• aDRE respondedA drug recognition expert came to the scene.
• bSuspect evaluatedThe expert evaluated a driver for impairment.
• cSuspect arrestedA driver was arrested for possible or confirmed impairment.

What the officer believes each driver, pedestrian or cyclist did wrong. Every box that applies is checked, unit by unit.

• 1No Improper ActionIn the officer’s judgment this unit did nothing wrong.
• 2Speed Too Fast for ConditionsToo fast for the road, weather or traffic, even if under the limit. Not used for distraction, impairment or fatigue, or for running a sign or signal.
• 3Exceeded Lawful SpeedOver the posted limit. An advisory speed on a curve sign is not the limit.
• 4Followed Too CloselyToo close to the vehicle or person ahead to react safely to what they did.
• 5Ran Stop SignDid not come to a complete stop.
• 6Disregarded Traffic SignalWent through a red, including entering on yellow just after it turned red.
• 7Made Improper TurnAn illegal or badly made turn or U turn, such as turning from the wrong lane or against a No Turn sign. Not used for a right of way violation during a proper turn.
• 8Drove Left of Center LineCrossed a painted center line or a center turn lane into the other side. Crossing a raised median or barrier is code 10.
• 9Wrong Way DrivingEstablished on the wrong side, such as driving west in the eastbound lanes of a freeway.
• 10Crossed MedianOn a divided highway, lost control, crossed the median and hit traffic on the other side.
• 11Passed in No Passing ZoneSuch as passing across double yellow lines.
• 12Unsafe Lane ChangeAn improper or erratic lane change, weaving through traffic.
• 13Failed to Keep in Proper LaneDid not stay in the lane.
• 17Did Not Use CrosswalkA pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk or an intersection, or between two signalized intersections.
• 20Failed to Yield Right of WayDid not yield to another vehicle or a person when required.
• 49Aggressive DrivingPrinted on the form; ADOT counted 333 drivers with it in 2024.
• 50OtherAnother violation the officer believes contributed, named on the form and explained in the narrative.
• 51UnknownThe officer could not determine what this unit did.

What each unit was doing just before the crash began. Codes 17 to 22 are for pedestrians and cyclists.

• 1Going Straight Ahead
• 2Slowing in Trafficway
• 3Stopped in TrafficwayStopped in a travel lane: at a sign or signal, waiting to turn, or in stopped traffic.
• 4Making Left TurnIncluding a vehicle waiting to start the turn.
• 5Making Right TurnIncluding a right turn on red. A vehicle waiting to turn is code 3.
• 6Making U Turn
• 7Overtaking or PassingPassing on the left or right. Not used for rear end crashes.
• 8Changing LanesInto a lane going the same direction.
• 9Negotiating a Curve
• 10Backing
• 11Avoiding Vehicle, Object, Pedestrian or CyclistA controlled move to avoid something.
• 12Entering Parking Position
• 13Leaving Parking Position
• 14Properly ParkedStopped entirely outside the roadway.
• 15Improperly ParkedStopped partly or fully in the roadway.
• 16Moving Vehicle, No Driver
• 17Crossing RoadA pedestrian or cyclist crossing, in or outside a crosswalk.
• 18Walking With TrafficWalking or riding in the road in the same direction as the vehicles.
• 19Walking Against Traffic
• 20StandingIn the road.
• 21LyingIn the road.
• 22Getting On or Off Vehicle
• 50Other
• 51Unknown

Where the first pedestrian or cyclist hit was, at the moment of the crash.

• 1At intersection, in marked crosswalk
• 2At intersection, unmarked crosswalk or not known if markedThe crossing implied at a corner, with no painted lines.
• 3At intersection, not in crosswalk
• 4At intersection, location unknown
• 5Not at intersection, in marked crosswalkA painted mid block crosswalk, including where a shared use path crosses.
• 6Not at intersection, on roadway, not in marked crosswalkCrossing mid block outside any crosswalk.
• 7Not at intersection, on roadway, crosswalk availability unknown
• 8School crosswalkA marked school crossing, while school or a school event was in session.
• 9Parking lane or zone
• 10Bicycle lane
• 11Shoulder or roadside
• 12Sidewalk
• 13Median or crossing island
• 14Driveway accessThe end of a driveway, including where a sidewalk crosses it.
• 15Shared use pathA path separated from traffic.
• 16Non trafficway areaSuch as private land not open to traffic.
• 50Other
• 51Unknown location

Up to four events for each unit, in the order they happened, from the same list used for the First Harmful Event of the crash.

• 1Overturn or RolloverTurned at least 90 degrees onto its side, including motorcycles.
• 2Fire or Explosion
• 5Cargo or Equipment Loss or Shift
• 6Fell or Jumped from Vehicle
• 8Other Non CollisionSuch as driving off a cliff with no rollover or impact, or being run over by one’s own vehicle.
• 9Equipment Failure (tires, brakes)A defect in tires, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, a hitch and similar.
• 10Separation of UnitsA trailer came loose.
• 11Ran Off Road Right
• 12Ran Off Road Left
• 13Cross MedianCrossed the whole median into the other side of a divided highway.
• 14Cross CenterlineCrossed into the other lanes of an undivided road.
• 15Downhill RunawayUsually a heavy truck after a brake failure.
• 16Motor Vehicle in TransportA collision with another motor vehicle in motion or on the road.
• 17Pedestrian
• 18PedalcycleA bicycle or any other pedal powered vehicle.
• 19Train
• 20Light Railway or Railcar VehicleSuch as Phoenix and Tempe light rail or the Tucson streetcar.
• 21AnimalLivestock, game or a pet.
• 25Parked Motor Vehicle
• 27Struck by Falling, Shifting Cargo or Anything Set in Motion by Another VehicleIncluding debris thrown from a nearby collision.
• 28Other Non Fixed ObjectSuch as a tree already lying in the road or an object fallen from another vehicle.
• 29Impact Attenuator, Crash Cushion or Guardrail End
• 33Concrete Curb
• 36Guardrail FaceAny part of a guardrail except its ends.
• 38Median BarrierA concrete wall such as a Jersey barrier.
• 39Cable Barrier
• 41Tree, Bush, Stump (standing)
• 42Traffic Sign SupportIncluding delineator posts.
• 43Traffic Signal Support
• 44Utility Pole or Light Support
• 46FenceCinder block walls count as fences.
• 50Other Fixed ObjectThe form prints 50; ADOT’s manual numbers it 49. Such as a fire hydrant, a transformer box or a cattle guard.
• 51Unknown