Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a reminder to focus on the road

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a reminder to focus on the road

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Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a reminder to focus on the road

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a reminder to focus on the road

By Garin Groff / ADOT Communications
April 18, 2022

Let’s face it: We're overwhelmed with potential distractions when we’re on the road. Rubbernecking at that fender-bender. Answering an urgent call from the boss. And wolfing down breakfast while rushing the kids to school.

While these may seem like mundane things that are of no concern while we’re behind the wheel, think about this grim fact: Distractions like these claimed the lives of at least 39 people on Arizona roadways in 2020.

Is that worthy of your attention?

ADOT is reminding drivers of how important it is to pay attention while on the road as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. While it’s important to avoid distractions at any time of year, this is a good time for all of us to think about what can happen when we become distracted in our vehicles.

Fatalities are just part of the danger. At least 8,110 crashes were attributed to distracted driving in Arizona in 2020, according to data collected by ADOT. And the number of distracted driving crashes and fatalities may be much higher because drivers may not admit to being distracted - or because the drivers die in a collision.

Drivers face consequences even if their distracted driving doesn’t result in a crash. Since 2021, Arizona drivers can face civil penalties because it is illegal for drivers to use hand-held mobile devices like cell phones or tablets while behind the wheel. Fines range between $75 and $149 for the first violation and additional violations can be as much as $250.

If you, or maybe a friend who is known to be easily distracted behind the wheel, need any more reminders of the dangers of distracted driving, check out ADOT’s “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign.

And the next time you’re on the road, remember to focus on the road so you get to your destination safely.


While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

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While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
December 16, 2021

With the holiday season upon us, many will be traveling to see family and friends for Christmas and New Year’s. There’s also the possibility of receiving snow in the high country, which will attract day-trippers.

With these extra incentives to travel, it’s important to remember to not drive distracted. Distracted driving is dangerous and we’ve all heard and seen stories where tragedy strikes in a glance of a text.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

So, when traveling during the holiday season, spread some Christmas cheer by not driving distracted. Make use of the rest areas when nature calls, but also for making phone calls or sending texts while you’re safely off the road and not driving. 

While we’re on the topic, check out ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving awareness campaign, “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.”

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

I-17 101 traffic interchange

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

December 14, 2021

PHOENIX – With many traveling to see family and friends this holiday season, plus the potential for snow up north attracting day-trippers, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers not to drive distracted.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

“Distracted driving is dangerous. We’ve all seen stories where tragedy strikes because a driver glanced at a text,” said State Engineer Dallas Hammit. “Paying attention when you are driving will help everyone get safely home this holiday season.”

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

To get more resources about distracted driving and see ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving campaign, visit azdot.gov/terrify.

From the Director: Why all the buzz about distracted driving?

From the Director: Why all the buzz about distracted driving?

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From the Director: Why all the buzz about distracted driving?

From the Director: Why all the buzz about distracted driving?

By John Halikowski / ADOT Communications
April 16, 2021

Why all the “buzz” about distracted driving? With more than 10,000 drivers involved in crashes who were engaged in distracted driving behavior in our state in 2019, it is a stark reminder how important it is to be a responsible driver when you get behind the wheel.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month. I wish we didn’t have to dedicate a month to bring attention to the dangers of distracted driving. But with the number of crashes rising and the inattentive drivers we see daily on our roads, we need to call attention to this public safety issue.

At the Arizona Department of Transportation, we launched a distracted driving awareness campaign last year called “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.” The campaign features regular people doing jobs most of us would find frightening &dnash; a snake handler, to an electrical lineman, to a high-rise window washer. We now have added a beekeeper to the 30-second public service announcement videos. You can watch them at azdot.gov/terrify.

We need to change driver behavior – a message I have shared more than once. Being a responsible driver is the key to reducing the number of crashes and keeping our roadways safe for everyone. 

Don’t “bee” a distracted driver!

Distracted Driving Awareness Month a yearly reminder to pay attention

Distracted Driving Awareness Month a yearly reminder to pay attention

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Distracted Driving Awareness Month a yearly reminder to pay attention

Distracted Driving Awareness Month a yearly reminder to pay attention

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications
April 1, 2021

Officially, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Unofficially, we all should be diligent about reducing distracted driving every day of the year.

In 2019 in Arizona, more than 10,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is potentially much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say some drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

Earlier this year, civil penalties for violations of Arizona’s hands-free law went into effect. Drivers who talk or text on a device that is not engaged in hands-free mode may receive a fine between $75 and $149 for the first violation and subsequent violations can be as much as $250.

While ADOT doesn’t police roadways for distracted drivers, we’re doing our part to increase awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. We’ve created a series of off-beat public service announcements that feature people doing activities most of us find terrifying.

What do the fearless fear? Distracted drivers, of course.

All of ADOT’s distracted driving PSAs can be found at azdot.gov/terrify.

What’s the buzz? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

What’s the buzz? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

I-17 101 traffic interchange

What’s the buzz? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

What’s the buzz? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

March 29, 2021

PHOENIX – For National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the Arizona Department of Transportation is doing its part to create a buzz around the dangers of texting and driving.

Building on its “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign, ADOT has produced a new public service announcement. This one features a beekeeper. This is the fifth 30-second PSA in a campaign that shows Arizonans doing something most people find terrifying.

The “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign began in the fall, featuring a Phoenix Zoo snake handler, a rodeo bullfighter, a high-rise window washer and a Salt River Project power line tech. What’s the one thing that terrifies these brave men and women? Distracted drivers, of course. The PSAs will continue to be broadcast on more than 100 TV and radio stations around the state, in partnership with the Arizona Broadcasters Association, and shared on ADOT’s social media channels.

Earlier this year, civil penalties for violations of Arizona’s hands-free law went into effect. It is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device not engaged in hands-free mode on all roadways in Arizona. The first violation may result in a fine between $75 and $149 and subsequent violations can be as much as $250, plus applicable surcharges.

Those fines really sting, but they’re a far better outcome than causing a preventable crash. In Arizona in 2019, the most recent with finalized crash data, at least 10,491 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. However, traffic safety stakeholders believe this figure is actually much higher because distracted driving is underreported since drivers often don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

For more information on ADOT’s “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” awareness campaign, visit azdot.gov/terrify.

Snake handlers, rodeo bullfighters and distracted driving?

Snake handlers, rodeo bullfighters and distracted driving?

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Snake handlers, rodeo bullfighters and distracted driving?

Snake handlers, rodeo bullfighters and distracted driving?

November 10, 2020

PHOENIX – Snake handlers. Rodeo bullfighters. High-rise window cleaners. Electrical line techs who rappel from helicopters. These are the stars of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s distracted driving public awareness campaign, “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.”

This isn’t a random collection of people. No, these professionals were chosen specifically because they perform jobs that many find full of danger, like wrangling venomous snakes, one-ton charging bulls and vertigo-inducing heights. But what scares these fearless people?

Distracted drivers.

ADOT worked with these professionals to produce a series of public service announcement spots for TV, radio and social media. The thirty-second spots are being broadcast on Arizona television and radio stations in English and Spanish as part of ADOT’s agreement with the Arizona Broadcasters Association, and shared on ADOT’s robust social media platforms.

Campaign information and PSA videos can be found at azdot.gov/terrify.

The aim of the “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign is to influence the behavior of drivers, resulting in fewer drivers engaging in terrifying distractions and making roads safer for everyone.

Every year in Arizona, distracted driving causes crashes that result in serious injuries and fatalities that are entirely preventable. In 2019, at least 10,491 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. Traffic safety stakeholders believe this figure is actually much higher, however, because distracted driving is underreported because drivers often don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.