Dust Storms

Last year, ADOT launched its very first “Haboob Haiku” challenge in an effort to spread the word about dust storm safety and the response was pretty amazing. That’s actually a huge understatement ... Not only did we receive over 600 original haikus (some even by phone and snail mail), but #HaboobHaiku yielded stories in media outlets all over the world (they even wrote about it in New Zealand!).

Social media as we know it today simply did not exist when this photo was snapped in the summer of 1976 ...

The wait is over ... today's the day we announce the top Haboob Haikus as voted for by the public. Before you watch the video above to see if your favorite was selected, we just want to give a big thanks to everyone who participated in the 2012 Haboob Haiku challenge!

When Haboob Haikus made the news all the way in New Zealand, we started to realize this Twitter challenge of ours was really taking off! Who could have guessed that #HaboobHaiku would end up yielding more than 500 stories in worldwide media outlets?

We're headed into monsoon season (the official start is today) and those dusty, unpredictable storms are on their way...

We've been pretty entrenched in social media this week so we thought we'd take this opportunity to answer a question we get asked from time to time... Why, as a state agency, does ADOT commit resources to social media?

Since yesterday we’ve received a number of really inspired Haboob Haikus. We are overwhelmed by the creativity that’s out there! Have you had the chance to submit a poem yet?

Our mission this week is massive and we’ve got to admit, we are going to need a little help. We’re trying to spread the word on monsoon and dust storm safety and we want to reach as many people as possible, which is where you come in!

At ADOT we always want to give drivers a warning of what’s coming up on the road ahead... Whether it’s an impending freeway closure or a new type of traffic signal, we try our very best to get the word out ahead of time so motorists know what to expect. But, sometimes something will impact our roads (and the ability to drive them) quickly and without much notice, making it all the more difficult to get the message out.

Monsoon season officially begins today, and brings with it some potentially hazardous driving conditions that all motorists should be prepared for.

Memorial Day weekend is here and if you’re headed out of town you probably have your travel plans all wrapped up by now. Hopefully those plans already include some safety preparations … if not, here are a few things to think about before hitting the road!

Arizona dust storms sometimes hit suddenly, without much notice at all. Drivers can be caught very quickly in a blinding wall of dust and debris that leaves almost no visibility. While these storms typically happen between May and September, motorists should be aware year-round of the potential danger these high-wind storms create.