Since the 1970s, major world events have taken place, history’s been made several times over and trends have come and gone. But some things haven’t changed, like the fact that dust storms (unfortunately) remain a constant hazard for Arizona drivers.

As you can see in these photos from decades past, ADOT was working to warn motorists about the dangers of dust storms way back in the 70s.

At right, a pair of sign shop employees inspects a dust storm informational display that, according to our notes, was one of 29 signs to be placed at rest areas near Interstate 10 and I-8 in the Casa Grande area.

Taken in 1976, the photo shows us a sign that not only warns motorists about the dangers of dust storms, but also suggests the actions that drivers should take.

Can’t quite read the sign’s text? We zoomed in and were able to make this out:

Dust storms create danger on Arizona roadways
Dust storms strike quickly in Arizona, particularly on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson and on I-8 from Gila Bend to Casa Grande. Blinding choking dust can quickly reduce visibility, causing accidents that sometimes involve a chain of vehicles that ram into one another, creating massive pileup. Dust storms usually last only a few minutes, but the actions a motorist takes during a storm may be the most important of his life.

While that language sounds fairly similar to the messages that we communicate today, the portion of the sign referring to interstate warning signs is a little outdated.

Interstate signs with changeable messages warn motorists driving on I-10 and I-8 about dust storm danger. Ordinarily, the signs provide information about route designation and directions, but the message 'dust storm alert' appears on signs when dust storm activity is detected. The dust storm alert message refers motorists to locations on the AM radio dial on which dust storm alert warnings are broadcast periodically.

An example of a changeable message sign from 1972.

An example of those changeable message signs can be seen in the photo at right and in this previous post. Now in 2015, we use more modern Dynamic Message Signs to get the word out to drivers.

The dust storm poster also provides some safe-driving guidelines that sound pretty close to what ADOT advises today. Here are the first two tips:

• If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, a motorist should not enter the area, but drive the vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn lights off, set the emergency brake, and make sure the brake light is off.
• If dense dust engulfs the roadway, a motorist should not stop on the pavement, but attempt to drive off the roadway as far as possible, following the procedures listed above.

A Dust Storm Bulletin was distributed to motorists decades ago.

The photo at left shows another ADOT outreach effort. In it, you can see an ADOT public information officer displaying copies of a new (well, it was new back then) warning sheet that was being distributed to motorists at ports of entry, MVD offices and other locations.

We can’t quite make out the text, but we see that the “Dust Storm Bulletin” does provide a map showing “dust storm areas in Arizona.”

It’s fun to look back, but if you want to keep up with ADOT’s current safety messaging, you don’t have to go far. You can find a wealth of dust storm safety info on our website, here on the blog, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and at PullAsideStayAlive.org. As always, drivers planning trips are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 511 or by visiting az511.gov.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

It’s that time of year again when we remind you to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” if you ever encounter a dust storm...

Even if you’ve heard the message before, we hope you’ll keep listening and help us spread the word because there are plenty of young drivers and new Arizona residents who might not yet understand the real dangers of driving into a dust storm.

Know anyone who fits that description? We encourage you to educate them about dust storm safety. Of course, you can point them in our direction!

From websites and blog posts to Tweets and haikus, we have a lot to share, including today’s video, a brand new public service announcement that was created by ADOT and its partners at the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service.

Haboob Haiku

In addition to the video and a new radio public-education announcement, ADOT will be using social media all this week to engage Arizonans in spreading the word to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”

You know what that means: the “Haboob Haiku Challenge” is back for a fourth year!

You can read in detail why we #HaboobHaiku in this blog post, and you’ll see that our main focus each year is to get people talking about the dangers of driving in dust storms. By building awareness about dust storm safety, we hope more drivers will know what to do when that next dust storm hits.

But this year we’re putting a slight twist on the tradition…

Instead of asking you to focus your poems on the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message as we have in the past, this monsoon season we’d like for you to show off your creativity by telling us where you'll be when the dust settles with haikus about how to drive safely during dust storm events. Here’s an example:

When the dust settles

I will be safe off the road

With my seatbelt on

Don’t forget to use the #HaboobHaiku hashtag. You can Tweet your poems to us @ArizonaDOT or post them to our Facebook page. You’ll also want to remember that haiku is a type of poetry that conforms to a certain syllable structure. These poems are traditionally written in three lines – the first line consists of five syllables, the second line has seven and the third ends the poem with five.

Finally, we want to make sure you see (and share) these driving tips. They’re not just inspiration for your haikus, but important reminders for drivers who encounter a dust storm.

• Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
• If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
• Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway – do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
• Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
• Stop your vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
• Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
• Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
• Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds in high wind.
• A driver’s alertness and safe driving ability are always the top factors in preventing crashes. It is your responsibility to avoid distracted or impaired driving.

For more information, please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org.

By Doug Pacey
ADOT Office of Public Information

Monsoon season is upon Arizona. The powerful, ear-splitting thunderstorms don’t always arrive alone, though. Sometimes, they’re preceded by towering, blackout-inducing dust storms, also known as “haboobs.”

Dust storms can be extremely dangerous for motorists and the Arizona Department of Transportation is serious about dust storm safety.

ADOT’s “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” dust storm awareness campaign urges motorists to avoid driving into a dust storm. If a dust storm is in the far-off distance, do not drive toward it. If it is immediately ahead, slow down, pull off the highway as far as possible, turn off all vehicle lights (including emergency flashers and brake lights so other vehicles do not follow) and wait until the storm passes.

We want this information to stay with you, especially when you’re in your vehicle. So, we created a dust storm playlist. Load it onto your smartphone, stream it on Spotify, upload it to the cloud or burn a CD – people still do that, right? – then crank up your car stereo and rock out to the not-so-underlying musical messages of dust storm safety.

ADOT’s Dust Storm Playlist

1. “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” – The Clash
When it comes to dust storms, always stay and never go.

2. “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons
Actual lyrics:
These days of dust
Which we’ve known
Will blow away with this new sun
So, be like Mumford and wait.

3. “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
In our hearts, we believe Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb pulled aside to write “Stayin’ Alive.”

4. “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
So what if you’re “halfway there?” Drive into a haboob and you will be livin’ on a prayer.

5. “Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins
You want to take the highway to the danger zone? That’s a negative, Ghost Rider.

6. “All You had to do was Stay” – Taylor Swift
Stay put. Seriously, that’s all you have to do.

7. “Dust in the Wind” – Kansas
It’s mandatory for a song about dust to be included in a dust storm playlist, right?

8. “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” – Billy Ray Cyrus
Our achy, breaky heart will shatter if you don’t heed our “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” advice.

9. “Sandstorm” – Darude
Resist the urge to crack open the glow sticks from your vehicle’s emergency kit – remember, no lights! – when listening to this awesomely titled Finnish trance music.

Bonus Track
10. “Sasquatch” – The Winebottles
You never know where Bigfoot might pop up.

The official National Weather Service Arizona monsoon period, which runs June 15 to September 30, brings a variety of travel concerns in addition to dust storms, including flash flooding, rain-slicked roads and high winds. When adverse weather conditions are present, ADOT urges motorists to drive with caution or delay travel. For more information, please visit ADOT’s Transportation Safety page.

By Dallas Hammit
State Engineer/Deputy Director for Transportation

By now, you should be familiar with Pull Aside, Stay Alive – the public awareness campaign designed to educate drivers about what to do (and what not to do) when they encounter a dust storm.

Since ADOT, along with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service launched the effort three years ago, many drivers have gotten the message that it’s better to wait out a dust storm rather than to risk driving through one. I encourage you to review and help spread the safe-driving tips that have become a part of the campaign’s core; however, today I want to give you a look at what ADOT and other agencies are working toward in regards to dust storm safety.

You might not know that Pull Aside, Stay Alive was born out of a 2012 dust storm workshop attended by agencies from around the state. That workshop has become an annual event, and this year’s meeting, held last month in Casa Grande, focused on some long-term goals related to helping drivers stay safe before, during and after a dust storm.

The 2015 workshop included presentations on the work that’s happening to better detect and predict dust storms – we’re seeing some interesting developments on that front. Dust storm response and mitigation were among the topics discussed, and ADOT’s very own Research Center was on the agenda with a presentation on a recent study on dust storm communication. We’ve learned through that study that there is a high degree of familiarity with the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign. The day wrapped up with a group discussion that concentrated on how to advance the efforts.

This collaboration is so important because no single group or agency can prevent dust storms, but together we can find ways to minimize the danger. As we head toward the summer months, ADOT will continue this year to build and grow awareness with Arizona drivers about the dangers of dust storms and what to do if they encounter one.

Dust and wind must make for some good poetic inspiration, because we’ve received so many outstanding Haboob Haikus!

This year’s submissions really have showcased the clever creativity of all you poets out there.

We thank you for helping us to spread the message and we hope you’ll continue to tell your friends and family why it’s so important to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”

We’ll continue to keep you updated on driving conditions and the dangers of dust storms. You can monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. And, don’t forget you can find all our dust storm safety driving tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.

Now, back to those haikus…

We want to share a sample of the Haboob Haikus from this year (it was too hard to pick a favorite!).

• Powerful nature / bad impairment of vision/ Stay off of the road!
• Look! A big haboob / I'll speed up and outrun it… / BOOM! I'm such a boob
• Sunset looking good / until Pig Pen’s cloud appears / Good grief, pull aside
• Sand from the desert / an oppressive wind blowing / Pull over and live
• Don't drive into me / Pull over and all lights off / Drive home when dust clears
• Haboob hijacks you / Don't make it mad. Stop and wait / Patience beats haboobs
• Haboobs are dusty / so pull aside stay alive / then go wash your car!
• Clear and sunny day / Oh man...that's a lot of dust! / Pull over, lights off!

Did you have a favorite #HaboobHaiku this year? Let us know in the comments your No. 1 choice. And, if you haven't yet, we invite you to participate in ADOT's new online dust storm survey.