Crashes becoming more common on historic Arizona highway east of the Valley

TORTILLA FLAT, AZ (AZFamily) — Historic highway state Route 88, also known as the Apache Trail, is quickly gaining a different kind of reputation.

“Morning, noon, and night, people have accidents because they underestimate the danger of this road and at the same time overestimate their driving ability and it’s very dangerous,” said Paul Robinson, who works in Tortilla Flat along SR 88.

He said tragic crashes on the historic road are becoming more common. “I’ve seen people when I wake up in the morning to open up the place, I’ve seen kids limping down the road trying to find some help,” said Robinson. “Most of the time, it’s young kids who have their whole life ahead of them.”

On Thursday, crews worked to get a motorcyclist back up to the street after crashing and going down a steep hill. The biker appeared to be OK. The night before, three people were rescued and flown to the hospital after their car went off the cliff. The rescue took nearly four hours and ADOT had to close a section of SR 88.

Last month, two more people had to be rescued after they drove off the road. Both of them were rushed to the hospital.

While the Department of Public Safety patrols the highway, the Arizona Department of Transportation maintains it.

ADOT says the keys to staying safe on the historic, winding SR 88 are obeying the speed limit, staying alert and not driving impaired.

Speed limits range from 25 and 40 mph but lower advisory speed limits are often between 15 and 25 mph.

“SR 88’s designation as an (sic) historic roadway limits changes allowed along the highway. It also travels through the Tonto National Forest, which means there are federal environmental limits,” ADOT said in a statement.

Robinson offered advice for those who choose to travel the scenic route. “My message would be to enjoy the scenery. Take things slower, it’s more fun, you know, enjoying the beautiful view, enjoying music and being more mellow as opposed to risking your life and getting that adrenaline going because it’s just not worth it,” he said.

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