By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

With or without you, safety comes first. But the sweetest thing is when we’ve found what we’re looking for –drivers making safe decisions.

With U2 performing at University of Phoenix Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 19, we’ll display a couple U2-related safety messages on a selection of overhead signs throughout the state with the goal of reminding drivers to avoid dangerous driving behavior.

We’ve posted music-related safety messages on overhead signs in recent weeks when Metallica, Neil Diamond and Ed Sheeran performed in Phoenix and referenced the popular song “Despacito.” We want to grab people’s attention with these messages and prompt conversations about safe driving.

Remember, don’t get stuck in a moment you can’t get out of – don’t drive recklessly, distracted or out of control.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

It’s a big weekend for concerts in Phoenix.

Metallica, Neil Diamond and Ed Sheeran will visit the Valley today and Saturday. Aug. 4 and 5. And because we like to time some of our quirky safety messages with pop culture or current events – remember this Adele message? – many of our dynamic message signs around the state will display music-themed safety messages this weekend.

On Friday, messages referencing hits by Metallica and Neil Diamond will appear. Message boards will rift on an Ed Sheeran chart-topper on Saturday.

Our goal in displaying these safety messages is to engage drivers with important safety messages. We want the messages to spark conversations among drivers and their families, friends, coworkers, classmates and others. With driver decisions behind the rising number of traffic crashes and fatalities, these are messages we all need to hear.

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

When a stretch of I-10 between Eloy and Picacho Peak gets a first-of-its-kind dust detection system in about two years, something else new will arrive with it: variable speed limits.

Where most speed limit signs show a number for the maximum speed, variable speed limit signs have electronic displays that allow traffic engineers to adjust for conditions. They look a bit like scoreboards used at high school sporting events, but without the clock or the visiting team’s score.

The concept isn't new. Variable speed limits appeared on the New Jersey Turnpike in the late 1960s and have been used in several states, often to adjust for weather or traffic conditions. Washington, Tennessee, Wyoming and Georgia are among the states using variable speed limits. In Arizona, Scottsdale has used them along a short section of Camelback Road.

Until now, they haven’t been used on Arizona freeways. That’s about to change.

Drivers have been encouraged to slow down when blowing dust reduces visibility to a dangerous level. In the dust detection zone between Eloy and Picacho Peak, variable speed limit signs will give that safety advice the force of law.

When dust detection equipment senses blowing dust, it will automatically activate the speed limit signs to slow drivers from the current 75 mph down to perhaps 35 mph. It won’t happen all at once: Speed limits will slow 10 mph each 1,000 feet to bring drivers to a safer speed. Traffic operators watching on cameras in Phoenix can return I-10 to normal speeds once the dust has cleared.

ADOT has been working with consultants, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Federal Highway Administration to research, design and build a dust detection system to protect drivers in the area that sees more blowing dust than any other freeway in Arizona.

Construction of the system, along with widening I-10 in much the same area, should begin by the end of the year.

By Peter Corbett / ADOT Communications

Earlier this week, we shared how a bright idea by ADOT employees is allowing us to upgrade rather than replace 20-year-old overhead electronic message boards.

This innovative approach provides more readable message boards and saves taxpayer dollars. While replacing a board would cost $300,000, a retrofit using the kit employees developed costs just $42,000. And it saves about $1,000 a year in energy costs for each message board.

In ADOT's culture of continuous improvement, we call this a kaizen (pronounced ky-ZEN). That means something that improves safety, improves efficiency by reducing waste or, as is the case here, accomplishes both.

The video above shows this kaizen in action. Please take a look.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

The Fourth of July is all about “F” words – food, friends, family, fireworks, flags and freedom. Too often, another “F” word – fatality – has crept into the holiday’s vernacular.

In 2016, the Independence Day holiday weekend saw the most traffic fatalities of any holiday weekend that year. Sixteen people died on Arizona’s local and state roads, including nine who were killed in alcohol-related crashes. These impaired driving deaths were entirely preventable.

Don’t drive drunk – designate a driver, call a cab or ride service.

To get the message out that impaired driving won’t be tolerated, many overhead signs statewide will display the following message:

By the way, speaking of sparklers, please be aware of fire restrictions in your community. Visit the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s website for information on fire restrictions. Most of Arizona is under Stage I or Stage II restrictions, which prohibit the use of fireworks.

By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications

We cannot claim they are as American as apple pie, but hot dog, those overhead message boards along state highways are certainly valuable tools providing drivers with information about traffic conditions, incidents up ahead or safety.

As part of an ongoing $1.1 million I-17 safety project between Anthem and Cordes Junction, ADOT in recent weeks has installed and activated four new electronic message signs at key locations in time for the busy Fourth of July weekend.

The two new northbound I-17 message boards are near Table Mesa Road (milepost 235) and Mud Springs Road (milepost 242) in the Black Canyon City area. The two additional southbound boards are near the I-17/SR 69 interchange at Cordes Junction (milepost 261) and near the Sunset Point Rest Area (milepost 252).

The new boards are now available for operators in ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center in Phoenix to electronically post messages about disabled vehicles, crashes, lane restrictions or reminders to buckle up and slow down. ADOT will put various safety messages on display to remind holiday highway travelers to make smart decisions on their road trips.

The four new signs are now among a total of 17 (coincidental?) message boards located along I-17 between north Phoenix and Flagstaff. ADOT now has well over 200 message boards installed along state highways across Arizona.

As part of the current I-17 safety project, crews also will install six “speed feedback” signs in areas between Anthem and Sunset Point to remind drivers of the posted speed limit and how fast they’re driving on that winding, mountainous stretch of the highway. The speed feedback signs are scheduled to be operational by this fall.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Motorists driving on Interstate 17 between Black Canyon City and Cordes Junction will see a hot, new message on a couple of our overhead signs, encouraging travelers tune in to 1690 AM and 1650 AM for wildfire information.

The effort is a partnership between ADOT, Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and Bureau of Land Management. From June 1 to July 15, signs on northbound I-17 at Sunset Point Rest Area and southbound I-17 at Cordes Junction will read:

Motorists can help prevent brush fires – and the associated road closures – from occurring along state highways by following these tips:

• Don’t park in tall grass, as the heat from parts under your vehicle can start a fire.
• Make sure nothing is hanging from underneath your vehicle and dragging on the pavement.
• Dragging chains during towing can cause sparks. Never substitute parts when towing.
• Check tire pressure before you travel. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks.

For more information on wildfire prevention and current fires, visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

The wait is almost over.

On Friday, we’ll reveal the winners in our Safety Message Contest. We’ve invited the winners to come to our Traffic Operations Center and type their message into our Dynamic Message Sign system. The winning messages will appear on overhead signs Friday through Monday.

You can see the winners by checking our Facebook page around 11:30 a.m. Friday or by traveling state highways this weekend.

By the way, did you know that one contest entry has already appeared on our overhead signs? We’ll consider using others in the future, too.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

If you think you're seeing more motorcycles than usual on Phoenix freeways this weekend, that's because you probably are. Arizona Bike Week and Phoenix Bikefest are occurring through Sunday in Scottsdale and Peoria.

ADOT isn't involved with either event, but we're taking the opportunity to spread awareness about sharing the road with motorcycles. Many overhead signs, especially those on the Loop 101 Agua Fria and Pima freeways, will display this message:

This safety message sometimes elicits responses from drivers of cars asking that motorcycles make safety a priority too. The fact is, vehicle blind spots can hide motorcycles. But drivers of four- and two-wheeled vehicles alike must make safe driving a priority. Speeding is a leading factor in traffic fatalities involving cars and motorcycles.

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit the Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation’s website.