PCSD Pushing Everyone on Catalina Highway to Focus on Safety | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Pima County Sheriff’s deputies are closely monitoring traffic on Catalina Highway.

Sheriff Chris Nanos shared some promising news regarding road safety.

“The number of deadly crashes here is down compared to recent years,” Nanos said. With the Thanksgiving weekend approaching and the first snow on the horizon, Nanos emphasized the need for increased vigilance.

Diana Ibarra, a frequent traveler on Catalina Highway with her family, commented on the driving conditions.

“I still see a lot of people being irresponsible – driving fast,” Ibarra said.

While she acknowledges improvements, Ibarra believes there’s still room for progress.

“I have seen a whole bunch of people not watching for the curves and pedestrians,” Ibarra said.

Nanos reported a significant decrease in deadly crashes, down by as much as 40% compared to previous years. Despite this, accidents continue to occur. Less than two weeks ago, a motorcyclist tragically lost control around a curve.

“They’ve been up there doing some enforcement efforts – more so education,” Nanos said.

He stressed the importance of understanding road behavior, not just issuing tickets.

“We know that officer presence means a lot and it doesn’t always have to be a ticket. It can be taking time to talk to all of those using the roadway,” Nanos said.

Nanos highlighted the importance of community involvement in ensuring road safety.

“We want our community to be safe – but it takes our community’s help in doing that,” Nanos said.

Ibarra also emphasized the importance of safety as she crossed at Windy Point.

“Safety is definitely everybody’s concern,” Ibarra said.

Sheriff Nanos identified the switchbacks as particularly dangerous due to limited visibility. He advised patience and attention to ensure safety on the roads.