The City of Tempe is proposing installing cameras at several intersections and issuing traffic tickets to those who are caught speeding and running red lights. Tempe is committed to safety on our roads, and studies show the technology works: according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, they can reduce crashes by more than 50%. A study from Lee Engineering (commissioned by the City of Scottsdale) found that speed-related crashes fell by 65 percent at Scottsdale’s intersections with photo enforcement cameras. Overall, collisions dropped by about 23 percent.

The cameras are expected to be installed in the first quarter of 2025. In the first month of implementation, those caught on camera speeding or running red lights will be issued a warning with no fine. After that, all those caught speeding or running red lights will be issued a traffic ticket they will need to address (or take care of).

Intersection locations:

• Baseline Road and Rural Road
• Baseline Road and Mill Avenue
• Southern Avenue and Mill Avenue
• Warner Road and McClintock Drive
• Guadalupe Road and McClintock Drive
• University Drive and McClintock Drive
• Broadway Road and McClintock Drive
• Broadway Road and Rural Road
• Elliot Road and Rural Road
• Elliot Road and Kyrene Road
• University Drive and Priest Drive
• Curry Road and Scottsdale Road
• Rio Salado Parkway and Rural/Scottsdale Road
• 48th Street and Broadway Road

Photo enforcement locations were selected based upon, generally:

• Only major arterial to arterial intersections with signals were considered.
• Intersections that showed at least 3 serious or fatal crashes in the 5-year period between 2018 and 2022.
• Intersections with the highest crash rates per 10,000 vehicles.
• Intersections with the greatest disparity between posted speed limits and documented speeds of majority of vehicles travelling through (the 85% metric).

Vision Zero Dashboard

Crash Statistics Dashboard: 2012-2023

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Vision Zero neighborhood community meetings

Watch the video from the Feb. 1, 2022 meeting

Watch the video from the Feb. 15, 2022 meeting 

Watch the video from the Feb. 23, 2022 meeting

View the meeting presentation PDF

Traffic safety devices installed around schools

August 2021: The city installed high-visibility crosswalks at Tempe elementary and Kyrene schools and flashing speed limit signs around Tempe high schools. Read more.

Intersection improvement projects completed  

2020/2021: Tempe improved the intersections at Rural Road and University Drive and at Rural Road and Rio Salado Parkway by adding turn lanes. The improvements were aimed to increase capacity and enhance safety and include construction of additional turn lanes, new traffic signals, updated sidewalk ramps (ADA) and improved transit stops. Public meetings were held Jan. 22 & 25, 2020. Online comment was available Jan. 22 until Feb. 14, 2020. Read the comments PDF.

Speed limits changed

In 2020, Tempe explored lowering speed limits throughout the city.  Residents were invited to four informational sessions in November and December 2019 to discuss proposed speed limit changes and provide feedback. Public meetings were held Nov. 16 & 21 and Dec. 11 & 14, 2019. Online comment was available Nov. 16 to Dec. 28, 2019. View the presentation from the speed limit meetings PDF. Read the public comments PDF. Speed limits were changed adjacent to high schools by time of day and along College Avenue from Alameda to US 60.

Tempe's Vision Zero Action Plan approved

In May 2019,  Tempe’s Vision Zero Action Plan was approved by the Tempe City Council. The plan seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes by using crash data and developing strategies in several key areas, including distraction, pedestrians and intersections. While the plan was being developed, Tempe took a proactive approach to implementing Vision Zero strategies, including adopting a distracted driving ordinance and the installation of LED streetlights improving nighttime visibility. View the Vision Zero Action Plan PDF. 

Public meetings about the plan were held March 23 and 27, 2019 and online comment was available March 23 to April 6, 2019.

• Draft Vision Zero Action Plan PDF.  
• Boards from March 2019 public meetings PDF.
• PowerPoint presentation from March 2019 public meetings PDF.
• Resident comments about the draft action plan PDF. 

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Tempe's distracted driving ordinance updated to primary offense

In March 2019, the Tempe City Council approved changes to the city’s Distracted Driving Ordinance. The changes allowed Tempe Police to cite drivers for holding, typing on or operating a mobile device while driving. Removing the distraction associated with handheld mobile devices allows drivers to better focus attention on driving, resulting in improved safety for all roadway users.

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Tempe recognized as first Vision Zero city in Arizona

In February 2019, the Vision Zero Network officially recognized Tempe as the first Vision Zero city in Arizona. 

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Tempe moves forward with Vision Zero planning 

In January 2019, Tempe created a Vision Zero action plan. Three working groups were formed to develop strategies in the following areas: education, engineering and enforcement/emergency response. These groups met in August and October 2018 to further develop strategies to achieve the Vision Zero goal. View the PowerPoint presentation PDF.

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Tempe's Vision Zero Workshop

In June 2018, over 50 stakeholders, including residents, students and employees, attended a workshop to brainstorm strategies to help eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes in Tempe.  View the Workshop PowerPoint presentation PDF. Read the Vision Zero Workshop Summary: June 2018 PDF.