Winter in Arizona: A Visitor's Guide to Staying Safe on the Road and Beyond
Every winter, thousands of visitors trade snow shovels for sunshine and head to the Valley of the Sun. Whether you're a snowbird settling in for the season or a family in town for spring training, golf, or a week in the desert, Arizona in winter is hard to beat: no ice on the roads, no blizzards, and 70-degree afternoons.
There's just one catch: winter is also Arizona's busy season. That means more cars on the freeways, more pedestrians out after dark, and more RVs and rental cars driven by people who don't know the local roads. Add a handful of Arizona-specific traffic laws that catch visitors off guard, and things can go wrong fast.
Arizona Road Laws Every Visitor Should Know
Your home-state license lets you drive here, but Arizona's traffic laws apply to you the moment you cross the state line.
Move over for any vehicle on the shoulder
Arizona's Move Over law (A.R.S. § 28-775) requires you to move over one lane when passing a vehicle stopped on the side of the road with flashing lights. That includes police, fire, ambulances, tow trucks, highway crews, and since 2021, any stationary vehicle with its hazard lights on. If you can't move over safely, slow down and pass with caution. Penalties are $275 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third, and a driver who violates the law is liable for any resulting injury or property damage (HB 2294 fact sheet).
Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country
The legal limit is 0.08% BAC, but Arizona adds two harsher tiers: Extreme DUI at 0.15% and Super Extreme DUI at 0.20%. Even a first offense brings a license suspension, Traffic Survival School, and an ignition interlock device for 12 to 18 months, on top of criminal penalties (ADOT MVD: DUI)
Other rules worth knowing
Left lane is for passing. On multi-lane highways, slower traffic is expected to keep right.
Seat belts are required for front-seat occupants and all passengers under 16. Under A.R.S. § 28-907, children under 5 must ride in a car seat, and children 5 through 7 who are 4'9" or shorter must use a car seat or booster. Renting a car? Reserve a seat ahead or bring your own.
Red-light and speed cameras operate in several Valley cities. A rental car company will often pass the ticket along to you with an added fee.
Carry proof of insurance. Arizona requires it while driving, and out-of-state coverage should meet Arizona's minimums (see below).
Quick reference: what a violation can cost
Law | What it requires | Penalty |
Move Over law (A.R.S. § 28-775) | Move over a lane, or slow down, for any stopped vehicle with flashing lights | $275 first offense; $500 second; $1,000 third |
DUI | 0.08% BAC limit; Extreme DUI at 0.15%; Super Extreme DUI at 0.20% | Even a first offense: license suspension, Traffic Survival School, and 12–18 months of ignition interlock, plus criminal penalties |
Winter Driving Hazards Unique to Arizona
No snow doesn't mean no risk. Arizona recorded 121,107 crashes and 1,228 traffic deaths in 2024, and speeding was a factor in about a third of those deaths (ADOT, July 2025). In winter, these are the conditions to watch for.
121,107 | 1,228 | About 1 in 3 |
crashes on Arizona roads in 2024 | traffic deaths in 2024 | of those deaths involved speeding |
Heavier traffic and unfamiliar drivers. Snowbirds and tourists pour in for spring training and golf tournaments, crowding I-10, I-17, Loop 101, and Loop 202. Many drivers are following GPS and making sudden lane changes, so leave extra following distance.
Low winter sun. During morning and evening commutes, the low sun creates blinding glare on east-west streets. Keep polarized sunglasses handy, use your visor, and slow down when you can't see signals or pedestrians.
Dust storms. They're most common in summer, but high winds can raise dust any time of year. If visibility drops, follow ADOT's Pull Aside, Stay Alive steps: pull completely off the road, turn off all lights including flashers, set the parking brake, take your foot off the brake, and stay buckled in until it passes.
Snow and ice up north. Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Sedona's higher roads, and the White Mountains do get winter snow. If a day trip takes you north on I-17 or I-40, check road conditions first at az511.gov and be ready for winter driving.
Wildlife at dusk. Javelina, deer, coyotes, and even elk cross roads in the early morning and evening. Slow down outside the city.
Walking, Biking, Golf Carts, and RVs
Winter is the best time of year to be outside in Arizona, which means more people on foot and on two wheels. Pedestrian crashes in Arizona rose to 2,079 in 2024, the highest in five years (ADOT).
Valley streets are wide and fast, and crosswalks can be far apart, so if you're on foot, cross at marked crosswalks or signals, avoid crossing mid-block, and carry a light or wear something reflective after dark (it gets dark around 5:30 p.m. in winter). Winter is also peak riding season for Arizona's cyclists. Drivers must give them at least three feet when passing, and riders should use front and rear lights and assume drivers don't see them. In many retirement and resort communities, golf carts share the road too. Carts on public streets generally must be street-legal and driven by someone with a valid license, so check your community's rules before taking one off the course. And if you're towing a trailer or driving a motorhome, allow extra stopping distance, watch for overhead clearance at gas stations, and use pullouts on two-lane highways to let traffic pass.
Staying Safe Outdoors
Winter hiking in Arizona is spectacular, from Camelback and South Mountain to the Superstition Mountains. It's also where many visitors underestimate the desert.
Bring more water than you think you need. The air is dry, and you dehydrate faster than at home, even on a 65-degree day.
Watch the clock. Winter days are short and desert temperatures can drop 30 degrees or more after sunset. Start early and carry a light and a layer.
Stay on marked trails and tell someone your route and return time. Cell service can disappear in canyons.
Respect the cactus. Cholla segments attach easily to skin and clothing. Carry a comb or tweezers to remove spines.
Wear sunscreen and a hat. Arizona's sun is strong year-round, especially at elevation.
If You're in a Crash While Visiting Arizona
A crash far from home is stressful, especially when you're dealing with a rental car, an out-of-state insurer, and a trip back home on the calendar. These steps protect your health and your rights.
Check for injuries and call 911. Move to a safe spot if you can, and let police document the crash.
Exchange information with the other driver: name, insurance, license plate, and vehicle details.
Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries show up days later, and a record from the start matters.
Notify your insurer and, if applicable, the rental company. Be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before you understand your options.
Talk to an Arizona attorney before you head home. It's much easier to preserve evidence and gather witness information while you're still here.
What visitors should know about Arizona injury law
The rule | What it means for you |
At-fault state | The driver who caused the crash, and their insurer, are responsible for the damages. |
Low insurance minimums (25/50/15) | Arizona requires only $25,000 per person for injuries, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage (The Zebra). Serious injuries can exceed those limits quickly, so check whether your own policy includes uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. |
Pure comparative fault | Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault. |
Two-year filing deadline | Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Claims involving a city, county, or state vehicle can require formal notice much sooner. If you go home and wait, the clock keeps running. |
Enjoy the Season, and Drive Like a Local
Arizona winters are made for being outside: golf, hiking, ballgames, and long evenings on the patio. A little preparation goes a long way, so put the phone in a mount, move over for anyone on the shoulder, and plan a safe ride home. And if you or someone you love is hurt in a crash while visiting, don't head home without talking to a local attorney. Simon Law Group's Tempe office offers free consultations and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. If you need legal counsel, call Simon Law Group at 480-745-2450.
