This goes without saying, but we would prefer that no one got into a crash, especially one with serious injuries.

But should a crash happen, there's something important to remember: You need to stay at the scene. 

That's the message you will see on our overhead digital message boards this week. Why, you might ask? Well, according to our annual Crash Facts, in 2019 alone there were more than 15,000 hit-and-run crashes statewide, which resulted in nearly 3,500 people injured and 62 fatalities.

And if those numbers aren't enough, here's another reason to remind drivers not to leave the scene of a crash: It's illegal.

"Leaving the scene of an accident is not only irresponsible, but also a crime," said Bart Graves, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. "Arizona State Law requires any motorist involved in a crash to stay on scene and provide their information."

In fact, if someone leaves the scene of a serious-injury or fatal crash, it's a Class 3 felony in Arizona.

In 2018 Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation declaring October to be Arizona Hit and Run Awareness Month. As part of that proclamation the governor called "upon Arizonans to acknowledge the severe impact that hit and run drivers create in the lives of those involved in these types of accidents."

Jesse Romero knows what that impact feels like. In October 2010 his 18-year-old son, Joey, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from work in Peoria. Since then Romero has worked with Peoria officials and state legislators to push for stricter hit-and-run laws. One result was Senate Bill 1163, nicknamed Joey's Law, that was passed by the state legislature in 2012. It made the punishment for leaving the scene of a serious injury crash a five-year driver's license suspension, or a 10-year suspension for leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Joey’s Law also says the suspension starts after a person is released from any jail or prison time associated with the incident.

Romero continues to raise awareness about hit-and-run crashes. He said his message to drivers is no matter how bad the circumstance of a crash is, running from the scene only makes it worse. For the driver it means avoiding strict penalties, but for the victim someone staying on scene could be the difference between life and death.

"If you get into a crash, don't panic. Please stop. You can help someone; you might be able to save a life," Romero said.

Most people want to be safe drivers (at least I hope that’s the case) but unfortunately, crashes occur much too frequently.

While I often use this column to focus on ways to avoid a crash, today, I want to talk about how to safely react after a minor, non-injury collision.

In short, if you're in a non-injury fender bender, move your vehicle out of travel lanes…

Many people believe a big misconception that it’s best to stay put once you’ve experienced a freeway fender bender. But in reality, you should practice Quick Clearance.

Quick Clearance is when drivers involved in minor crashes that don’t result in injuries get vehicles out of travel lanes as soon as it’s safe to do so.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the likelihood of a secondary crash increases by 2.8 percent for each minute the primary incident continues to be a hazard.

Moving your vehicle to the emergency shoulder, median or exiting the highway provides a safer environment for first responders and keeps travel lanes clear for other vehicles, reducing the chance of a secondary collision.

So, remember: if you are involved in a non-injury crash, and your vehicle can be moved, you should drive it out of the travel lanes then call for help.

No one wants to be involved in a crash, but knowing how to safely react if you are involved in a non-injury crash can help protect you and others.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Recent news coverage of a company’s study of highway fatality figures featured attention-grabbing headlines such as “Deadly I-17.” But as a statewide community, we need to take a step back and promote safety when such coverage gives people the impression that the highway is to blame.

Misleading headlines aside, and putting aside that the sources cited for this alleged study began with Wikipedia and included ValuePenguin.com, it’s time for a reality check: You’re missing the point if you focus on the highway instead of the behavior of many who drive it.

We need to understand that driver behavior is the leading factor in highway crashes.

Too many drivers are speeding. Too many drivers are impaired, some to the point where they enter a highway in the wrong direction. Too many of us are driving distracted and not paying attention to what should be our No. 1 responsibility: simply driving, and doing so safely.

Too many of us still don’t wear seat belts. Every year, not buckling up is a leading factor in crash fatalities. More than a quarter of the 962 people killed in motor vehicle crashes here in Arizona last year weren’t wearing seat belts.

Folks, it’s not about the highway. I-17 is a safe highway, designed to meet exacting safety standards. But as with any highway, safety is dependent upon smart driving.

Studies that focus on the number of fatalities on a highway are simplistic. Professional engineers and analysts will tell you that fatalities alone shouldn’t be the sole indicator of a roadway’s safety performance. You need to look at other variables, such as traffic volume and all types of crashes ranging from minor fender benders to severe injury and fatal collisions. Vehicle condition and access to emergency services are just two of many other factors to be taken into account.

An ADOT analysis conducted before the start of a recent safety improvement project along I-17 in the Black Canyon City region found that Department of Public Safety troopers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as the leading driver violation in more than 40 percent of crashes in that occurred in that area between 2011 and 2015.

The safety project along that mountainous section of I-17 has added new signs, including overhead message boards to provide drivers with highway condition and safety information. There are six new “speed feedback” signs with display screens to show vehicle speeds or the words “too fast” and “slow down” to advise drivers who are speeding. When the pavement in that area was recently upgraded, bright new reflective pavement markings were one of the safety measures. They make it easy to see the travel lanes, especially at night.

However, any such measures cannot offset unsafe driving. Speed limits are out there for a reason: safety. Seat belts are in our vehicles for a reason: safety. And not driving while impaired has an impact on, you got it: safety.

In recent years, ADOT completed a climbing lane on the I-17 grade south from Camp Verde. And we’ve moving toward improvements to the stretch immediately north of the Valley by conducting a study of the area between Anthem Way and State Route 69 at Cordes Junction before finalizing plans for adding new lanes and other safety enhancements.

With the help of funds from the Maricopa Association of Governments, which serves as the metropolitan planning organization for the Phoenix area, projects to add new I-17 lanes in areas between Anthem and Black Canyon City are now scheduled for construction in the years 2021-22.

The concept of building “Demand Lanes” between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point, for use as needed by the busiest direction of travel or in the event of a closure, is just one idea being considered for that mountainous section of I-17. Funding for improvements in that area hasn’t been identified.

Changing the crash and fatality numbers are directly linked to the steering wheel in your hands. Those numbers can go up or down, but it depends on the choices we make behind the wheel, and the actions we take to let others know that drinking, drugs, cell phones and driving are a deadly mixture. Help me save lives. Please!

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

We follow trends in transportation. It helps to know whether we are seeing a decline or increase in traffic crashes or fatalities from one year to the next – and why. It saddens me to report that Arizona is seeing an increase in the number of crashes and fatalities associated specifically with impairment due to the influence of drugs or medications. This trend is one that we, as a society, need to combat and educate drivers about the dangers associated with driving impaired on our roadways.

Here are some somber statistics: In 2016, drivers under the influence of drugs or medications were involved in 1,058 motor vehicle crashes that killed 99 people and injured 792. In 2015, there were 933 motor vehicle crashes that killed 77 people and injured 766 with drivers under the influence of drugs or medications. This trend is going in the wrong direction.

I believe ADOT has a responsibility to lend our support toward efforts that help educate the people of Arizona about the dangers associated with drug use, especially the opioid epidemic that has gripped our state.

The more we can do to educate our community to the dangers associated with drug use, driving impaired and its impact on our roadways, we will better off as a society. This effort will provide a trend in the right direction – reduced crashes and loss of life.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

As summer temperatures heat up, we want to inflate awareness about the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure.

Annually in the U.S., there are about 11,000 tire-related crashes that result in about 200 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under-inflation is a leading cause.

SaferCar.gov offers these tips will keep your vehicle’s tires in shape:

• Inflate your tires according to the pressure specified in your vehicle’s manual or tire information label on the driver’s side door edge.
• Properly inflating tires improves fuel efficiency, providing as much as 11 cents more value per gallon.
• Follow your car’s maintenance guidelines and rotate tires as specified. Also, be sure they are balanced and aligned correctly for optimal performance.
• Check the tread on your tires. Tires should be replaced when tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch. Running out the clock on your tires can result in a blowout.
• Many newer vehicles have automated tire pressure monitoring systems. Typically, these alerts are sent when a tire is significantly deflated, making regular checks is a good idea. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove box.

Not only will properly maintained tires keep you safer, it will keep shredded tire carcasses – sometimes called “road gators” – from creating safety hazards on our highways, roads and streets.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Today we introduce the Friday Five on the ADOT Blog. Friday Five posts will feature a mashup of need-to-know ADOT info and photos of things we see on state highways. Follow the #FridayFive hashtag on your social media sites to see what others are sharing.

1. First on our list is a closure that will start tonight. Motorists traveling to the West Valley this weekend should allow extra travel time or plan ahead to avoid a closure of westbound Interstate 10 (Papago Freeway) at 59th Avenue due to construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. We have electronic message boards up around town, but you can read all of the details of work going on in our news release.

2. This week, wildfires closed a handful of state highways, including a stretch of Interstate 17 in the far north Phoenix area. We’ll post closures on our social media sites (like the SR 366 closure we talked about on Facebook). You can also visit AZ511.gov 24/7 for closure information. For the latest on active wildfires, visit the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. Also, read our post about how drivers can prevent wildfires.

3. ADOT was TP-ed over the weekend! No – not one of our buildings, but US 60 in Tempe. While the photos are amusing, it’s a reminder to secure your load, even if it’s a light one. Highway debris can cause crashes.

4. We don’t waffle when it comes to highways – we love ‘em all and want to educate you on Arizona’s transportation system. One way we do that is with fun trivia quizzes on Twitter. Make sure you follow @ArizonaDOT to show off your knowledge!

5. We’re wrapping up our Friday Five with a sad statistic announced this week: Arizona motor vehicle collision deaths rose to 962 in 2016. ADOT's annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report is out, showing that speeding, impairment and lack of seat belt use are the leading causes of fatalities. ADOT, other public safety agencies and partner organizations work to promote safety on all roadways through the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a framework for reducing motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

The formal definition of “accident” is “an event occurring by chance or unintentionally.” When a driver intentionally speeds and gets injured or dies in a traffic collision, is it an accident? When a driver intentionally drinks, is impaired and then gets behind the wheel and causes injury or death to others in some type of traffic crash, is it an accident? By the dictionary’s definition, these events are not accidents, as the driver intentionally engaged in risky behavior.

There is a movement among safety advocates to refrain from referring to traffic crashes as accidents since a majority of crashes are caused by human error. Almost all crashes stem from driver behavior like drinking, distracted driving and other risky activities like speeding. Vehicle malfunctions and weather account for about 6 percent of crashes, based on national statistics. Data in ADOT's 2015 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report show that speeding and impaired driving were each factors in a third of the 895 people killed in crashes. The most common driver violation cited in all crashes – fatal and non-fatal – was “speed too fast for conditions.”

At ADOT, we don’t use the word “accident” in our terminology when describing traffic collisions or analyzing crash data. It has been our long-standing practice to use the word “crash” or “collision.” True “accidents” are quite rare.

When a driver intentionally engages in risky behavior behind the wheel, we shouldn’t use the word “accident” when something happens. It is no accident.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's

LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By Kohinoor Kar and Mike Cynecki
Guest Bloggers

What is a roadway departure crash?

By definition, a roadway departure crash is a non-intersection crash that occurs after a vehicle crosses an edge line or a centerline, or otherwise leaves the traveled way.

However, not all roadway departures result in crashes. While a roadway departure incident in itself may not initially be harmful, the secondary events or crashes resulting from the roadway departure can be deadly.

How to avoid a roadway departure?
There may be various reasons why a vehicle departs from its lane or runs off the road. However, most times it happens due to driver error, such as speeding on a sharp curve or a steep grade (particularly on rural two-lane highways), distraction, inattention, intoxication, fatigue, nighttime visibility or vehicle issues such as tire blowouts, and some may involve roadway issues such as ponding water or icy roads. The best way to avoid a roadway departure is to always be alert, attentive and clear-headed when driving and to conduct periodic inspection and maintenance of your vehicle.

Successful measures for safe driving also include paying proper attention to the road in front of you as well as to nearby vehicles; driving at an appropriate speed for the existing roadway, traffic and weather conditions; and avoiding any kind of distraction, such as using handheld communication devices, changing a CD or radio station, setting the GPS unit while driving or engaging in intense conversations with passengers.

Approaching curves and freeway ramps
Unfortunately, many drivers approaching curve warning signs with a lower advisory speed plaque do not slow down in conformance with the advisory speed. The reason for an advisory speed is to warn the driver of a specific roadway or traffic condition recommending a need for a reduced speed. If the traffic or weather condition is not suitable for the advisory speed posted for a curve or any other roadway condition(s) on a stretch of highway, one must slow down to a reasonable speed that may even be lower than the advisory speed.

The same driving behavior is quite often observed at freeway ramps. While exiting a freeway, notice how many black tire marks are visible on the concrete barrier or ramp. It’s not necessarily the ramp design that causes drivers to run off the road. Instead, it is usually driver error that causes these impacts. Most of these crashes are due to drivers not slowing down enough prior to entering the ramp, not heeding the advisory speed or not driving consistent with the existing conditions.

Overcorrection can be deadly!
Many single-vehicle roadway departure crashes often result in serious injuries and fatalities, especially since most occur at high speeds. According to Arizona crash statistics, slightly more than 18 percent of the total crashes in 2011 were single-vehicle crashes, but these crashes accounted for more than 40 percent of the statewide fatal crashes. These numbers clearly indicate the severity of single-vehicle crashes.

Sometimes a driver is surprised by an animal that runs into the road or a vehicle that appears to be moving into their lane, which causes a reflexive action to avoid the crash. When a driver, who is travelling at a high speed and is distracted, drowsy or inattentive, runs off the road even slightly, he/she often makes an attempt to remedy the situation quickly by jerking the wheel in the opposite direction. This sudden movement of the wheel causes the car to veer to the other side, often sending the car across the roadway or causing it to roll. In fact most drivers who run off the left side of the roadway, do so after running off to the right side and overcorrecting when trying to get back onto the roadway.

To have better control of the steering wheel, you must always use both hands when driving. You will have better control of your vehicle if you think of your steering wheel as an analog clock and place your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock (middle) positions. The 9 and 3 positions are intended to maximize the leverage on the steering wheel. Always keep both hands on the wheel. Doing so can help avoid lane departures, and if you do inadvertently run off the road, it will allow you to have better control of the steering wheel under emergency conditions. At very high speeds, depending on the roadway geometry, it may be a better option to take these steps:

• Don’t panic. 
• Slow down by easing off the gas pedal. 
• Slowly apply the brakes. 
• Safely stop on the shoulder or on the roadside as appropriate. 

The key is to bring the vehicle to a full stop rather than try to get back on the road immediately. In some cases, hitting a bush or minor objects on the roadside after an unexpected roadway departure will probably result in less of an impact and have a lower potential for serious injuries and damages.

Every roadway departure situation can be different and unique in nature. However, certain driver behaviors can save lives or prevent serious injuries and damages by always staying alert and avoiding overreaction. Preventing a roadway departure is not difficult, and common sense can help avoid life-changing incidents behind the wheel. Undoubtedly, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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Kohinoor Kar, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, a professional engineer with 23 years of combined experience in the roadway, traffic and safety field, has been with the State of Arizona for past eight years.

Michael J. Cynecki, P.E. retired from the City of Phoenix after a career of 26 years in the Street Transportation Department, and is currently with the consulting firm of Lee Engineering, LLC.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors or references cited herein and may not necessarily represent the views of the agencies they are affiliated with. Information contained in this article are for general awareness only and are not intended to substitute for professional advice to any particular person or case. Some of the information might change over time in which case the current practice would supersede all previous practices.