Safety

ADOT’s yearly Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report shows that 823 people lost their lives in crashes on state and local roadways in Arizona in 2012.

At this year’s Safety Partnering Roadeo, which was held March 26-27 at the State Fairgrounds facility in Phoenix, ADOT welcomed more than 400 people to participate in over 66 classes and various safety/training events …

If it’s been a while since you studied up on the Arizona driver license manual, you might not recall that it is against the law to drive through a gore area ... or that it's three points against your license if you violate this traffic rule.

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but it is really, really hot out there … A lot of us are lucky to work indoors during the warmest parts of the day (thank goodness for air-conditioning!), but here at ADOT many employees are stationed outside to work.

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.

A three-day weekend is coming up and that means a lot of people will be hitting the road… It’s the perfect time to take a road trip, but it’s also wildfire season and we’ve all got to be a bit more careful in this dry, desert climate we live.

What’s filled with sand, weighs up to 1,400 pounds and is designed to save lives? If you answered a sand barrel crash cushion, you’re correct! And, if you didn’t have a guess then you’re probably asking: What’s a sand barrel crash cushion?

It goes without saying that pets and highways are a dangerous combination. Still, thousands of dogs and cats end up on Arizona’s highways every year often suffering serious or fatal injuries and contributing to motor vehicle crashes.

Back in July we told you all about truck-mounted attenuators and how vital they are to the safety of ADOT employees and drivers out on the road. But, there’s another type of attenuator that acts on the same principle and does just as much to protect motorists...

ADOT's new Crash Facts report shows the number of fatal crashes was on the decline in 2010.

Last week when we told you about National Preparedness Month, we briefly detailed the role ADOT plays when it comes to public safety. But, there’s a whole lot more to say on the subject, and who better to write about it than ADOT’s very own Emergency Manager…

The need for pedestrian and bicyclist safety at schools, especially involving young students, cannot be overemphasized. While federal, state and local agencies are encouraging fit and healthy lifestyles by promoting walking and biking to school, the safety of these children should be our highest priority.

When it comes to describing some hauls, the term “oversize load” is a major understatement. We’re talking about the enormous “super-loads” driven through the state each day. Maybe you’ve seen them on the freeways … they’re the trucks lugging gigantic transformers, generators, turbines, and even houseboats.

Much has changed since ADOT got its start in 1927. Back then, the agency was known as the Arizona State Highway Department and roads certainly were built a little differently. Methods, materials and technology have changed so much since then.