Safety

Focus On Driving: Driving distracted is like driving blind

Focus On Driving: Driving distracted is like driving blind

SR24-1

Focus On Driving: Driving distracted is like driving blind

Focus On Driving: Driving distracted is like driving blind

February 6, 2018

Traffic and Pedestrians

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, if you were driving a car at 55 mph, you’d have traveled about the length of a football field.

Think you could drive that distance and avoid anything – another vehicle, an animal or a young child chasing a ball – that travels into your path with your eyes not watching the road?

Probably not.

Every day during the month of February in Arizona, on average, there are about 48 distracted driving-related crashes. And those are only the ones that are reported – the actual crash total is believed to be much larger because many drivers do not admit to being distracted after causing a collision.

All of those crashes are preventable. When drivers take attention away from the task at hand – safely steering a 2-ton block of metal, plastic and glass – they endanger themselves, fellow motorists and pedestrians.

Distracted driving takes many forms – texting, turning and talking to passengers, and scrolling through playlists to find the perfect song are all examples.

Make smart decisions when driving. Keep your focus on the road ahead and your vehicle’s surroundings so everyone can safely reach their destination.

Vote for your favorite 2017 safety messages

Vote for your favorite 2017 safety messages

SR24-1

Vote for your favorite 2017 safety messages

Vote for your favorite 2017 safety messages

December 27, 2017

As we wrap up the year, we’re taking a look back at the overhead message boards we posted throughout 2017. Here’s a sample of those signs and your chance to tell us which one was your favorite. Swipe right for the signs you prefer and left for the ones you don’t.

 

 

Vote on your favorite holiday safety message!

Vote on your favorite holiday safety message!

SR24-1

Vote on your favorite holiday safety message!

Vote on your favorite holiday safety message!

December 26, 2017

While you’ve been shopping for the holiday and enjoying time with the family, ADOT elves have been posting holiday safety messages on electronic boards across the state. Let us know which signs were “hot” or “cold” by swiping right for those signs you like and left for those that leave you “cold.”

 

 

Holiday spirit hits our overhead signs

Holiday spirit hits our overhead signs

SR24-1

Holiday spirit hits our overhead signs

Holiday spirit hits our overhead signs

December 22, 2017

Buckle up! We triple-dog dare ya!

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Unless you’re taking the reins of a magical flying sleigh with nine reindeer, there’s no need to speed this weekend. Slow down, obey speed limits and secure your spot on Santa’s Nice List.

As you travel Arizona’s highways in the days leading up to Christmas, you’ll see safe-driving holiday-themed reminders on our overhead signs to slow down and buckle up. The first message riffs on the popular movie, “A Christmas Story.”

Before hitting the highways, download the ADOT Alerts app – it’s free for iOS and Android devices – so you’ll know if highways near you are affected by a major, unplanned event, like a crash-related closure or severe weather.

And here’s an early Christmas gift from all of us at ADOT: No highway closures are scheduled during the Christmas and New Year’s weekends.

From the Director: Reducing wrong-way crashes starts with you and me

From the Director: Reducing wrong-way crashes starts with you and me

SR24-1

From the Director: Reducing wrong-way crashes starts with you and me

From the Director: Reducing wrong-way crashes starts with you and me

December 15, 2017

Alert - wrong way driver ahead

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

When it comes to reducing the number of vehicle crashes, fatalities and serious injuries, real change has to begin in the driver’s seat. Irresponsible drivers that are drunk, drugged, distracted or who think speed limits are a "suggestion" will continue to hurt and kill our loved ones unless we all start doing something about it. We choose how we behave behind the wheel. To make our roads safer, we must choose to take responsibility and keep drunks and drug-impaired people from getting behind the wheel.

This is especially important when trying to prevent wrong-way crashes. About two-thirds of all wrong-way drivers are impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication. These people have no business getting behind the wheel. Yet, impaired drivers remain a leading factor in fatal crashes of all kinds.

On the engineering side, the Arizona Department of Transportation will do everything we can to reduce wrong-way crashes. The first-in-the-nation wrong-way detection pilot project on Interstate 17 is in testing and will be operational in early 2018. We’ve also installed hundreds of "wrong way" signs on highway ramps and overpasses.

And earlier this week, in partnership with the Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, ADOT launched "Drive Aware, Get There," a wrong-way awareness safety campaign. The goal of “Drive Aware, Get There,” is simple: educate drivers on what they can do to increase their safety when driving at night, what to do if they encounter a wrong-way vehicle and what actions to take if they see an overhead sign warning of a wrong-way vehicle ahead.

We all must work together to reduce wrong-way crashes. Please do your part and keep impaired people from getting behind the wheel during the holiday party season and throughout the year.


Director-Halikowski-headshot

 

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

 

Star Wars is coming to a freeway near you

Star Wars is coming to a freeway near you

SR24-1

Star Wars is coming to a freeway near you

Star Wars is coming to a freeway near you

December 14, 2017

Don't turn your car into a death star - drive focused

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" premieres today, and many driving to the theater will see the latest installment of related safety messages on our overhead highway signs.

Many love seeing these messages. Some don't. Either way, they're always talked about. And that's what we want – messages that kick off conversations about safe driving.

This isn't the first time we've linked the popular movies to highway safety. Last year, ADOT offered Star Wars-related messages calling attention to the dangers of distracted driving.

2017-1214-join-the-rebellion

Join the rebellion against distracted driving

If you're a Star Wars superfan, you'll want to make sure you check out the first Star Wars message we posted a couple of years ago.

Whether you're headed to see the movie or not, we hope you'll follow the way of the Jedi and stay focused on getting there safely.

Expect delays starting next week on Araby Road near I-8 in Yuma

Expect delays starting next week on Araby Road near I-8 in Yuma

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Expect delays starting next week on Araby Road near I-8 in Yuma

Expect delays starting next week on Araby Road near I-8 in Yuma

December 14, 2017

YUMA – Drivers on Araby Road south of Interstate 8 will see occasional delays next week as Arizona Department of Transportation crews install a new radar detection system to regulate the traffic signals at Araby and 32nd Street.

The radar detection system will replace an aging loop detection system in the pavement at the intersection.

Periodic lane restrictions are expected during the work, which is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Monday, Dec. 18, and continuing through Friday, Dec. 22. Signal timing in the intersection may also be altered during the work. Drivers should approach the intersection with caution.

The site is just south of the Araby Road interchange with I-8. Work on the project to replace signalized intersections with modern roundabouts is on hold until spring to accommodate commercial vehicles hauling winter produce.

ADOT, DPS, GOHS launch “Drive Aware, Get There” safety campaign

ADOT, DPS, GOHS launch “Drive Aware, Get There” safety campaign

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT, DPS, GOHS launch “Drive Aware, Get There” safety campaign

ADOT, DPS, GOHS launch “Drive Aware, Get There” safety campaign

December 13, 2017

PHOENIX – It happens in an instant. An overhead message board flashes, “ALERT, WRONG-WAY DRIVER AHEAD.” Or headlights suddenly appear on your side of a divided roadway.

What you do before and during these and other situations involving wrong-way drivers, most of whom are impaired, can increase the chances of avoiding a potentially fatal collision.

At the direction of Governor Doug Ducey, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are launching “Drive Aware, Get There,” a safety campaign aimed at helping drivers minimize the risk of being in a crash with a wrong-way vehicle.

“From the deployment of thermal camera detection technology to vigilant law enforcement efforts, Arizona is taking action to address wrong-way driving,” said Governor Ducey. “This public awareness effort will provide drivers with information to increase their safety when driving at night and understand what to do in the event of an encounter with a wrong-way driver.”

ADOT has taken several steps to curb wrong-way drivers, including installation of a first-in-the-nation wrong-way detection and warning prototype that uses thermal cameras.

“Safety is a top priority at ADOT and from an engineering standpoint we will do everything we can to make the state highway system the safest it can be,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “But engineering alone won’t solve the problem of wrong-way drivers. Stopping impaired driving is the most effective way to stop wrong-way drivers and we all have a responsibility to stop impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.”

“Drive Aware, Get There” shows what drivers can do to increase their safety when driving at night, what to do if a wrong-way vehicle is encountered and if an overhead sign warning of a wrong-way driver ahead is seen.

“My best advice: Have a plan,” said Col. Frank Milstead, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “Take a moment right now to think about what you would do if you saw a wrong-way car coming at you. When you see the headlights coming at you, the closing speed is so rapid you only have a split-second to react. Be vigilant and plan proactively so you won’t lose time if you find yourself in that situation.”

“DRIVE AWARE, GET THERE”
HOW TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

  • No matter the time of day, drivers should drive defensively. That means being constantly aware of driving conditions, your surroundings and anticipating dangers so you can take evasive action if you encounter a hazard, such as a wrong-way driver.
  • Don’t tailgate. Leave enough space so if the vehicle in front of you makes a sudden lane change to avoid a wrong-way driver, you’ll have time to react, too.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. While wrong-way drivers are often in the left or HOV lane, they enter highways from the right via off-ramps. Because they are often impaired, their movements are unpredictable.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A WRONG-WAY VEHICLE

  • If you’re on a divided highway – like I-17, SR 51, US 60 or any freeway in Phoenix and all interstates – and you see a vehicle coming toward you, slow down by easing your foot off the gas.
  • Make sure there’s no vehicle next to you and steer away from the wrong-way driver.
  • Get to a safe place, call 911 and report the wrong-way driver. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A SIGN WARNING OF A WRONG-WAY VEHICLE

  • When ADOT is alerted to a possible wrong-way driver, overhead messages boards on that stretch of freeway will display the message, “Alert, wrong-way driver ahead.”
  • If you see that message, safely move toward the nearest highway exit on the right side of the highway as soon as possible.

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

  • Have a plan in mind, so if you encounter a wrong-way driver you won’t waste a moment that could save your life.
  • Never drive distracted or impaired.
  • And never let an impaired driver get behind the wheel. Most wrong-way crashes are caused by impaired drivers. It’s up to all of us to keep impaired drivers off our roads.

“Driving defensively and not distracted will help keep drivers safer,” said Alberto Gutier, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “All of us – ADOT, DPS, GOHS and the people of Arizona – are in this together to stop impaired drivers from making our roads dangerous.”

ADOT is nearing completion of a pilot-project thermal detection system, which will detect wrong-way vehicles and alert others drivers and law enforcement of them on a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 17 in Phoenix. When the system detects a wrong-way vehicle, a flashing sign will illuminate on the off-ramp in an attempt to get the attention of the wrong-way driver. Additionally, the detection will automatically focus highway cameras on the wrong-way vehicle and send automated alerts to the Highway Patrol, helping troopers intercept the vehicle faster. The detection will also activate “wrong-way driver ahead” messages on overhead signs, giving motorists a chance to exit the freeway, and ramp meters will show a constant red signal, keeping motorists from entering the freeway.

Prior to construction of the detection system, ADOT installed hundreds of larger and lowered “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs on highway ramps. Also, white “right way” arrows were placed on off-ramps and glow bright red to a driver going wrong-way on the ramp.

More information on “Drive Aware, Get There” can be found at azdot.gov/wrongway.

Interstate 17: Where faster isn't better

Interstate 17: Where faster isn't better

SR24-1

Interstate 17: Where faster isn't better

Interstate 17: Where faster isn't better

December 7, 2017

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Do you drive "too fast" or need to "slow down" on Interstate 17? As we shared this week, six new signs will tell you exactly that if you're exceeding the speed limit between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point, where crashes due to speeding can cause injuries, fatalities and long delays.

These speed-feedback signs are part of a $1.1 million I-17 safety project between New River and Camp Verde. They display the posted speed limit and will show drivers their speed up to 5 mph over the posted speed limit. Motorists traveling over the limit will see a digital message saying, "too fast” or “slow down."

The video above shows how they work.

A study found that Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as the leading driver violation in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes in the Black Canyon City area between 2011 and 2015. The new signs are another way to remind drivers to slow down on a stretch of road where crashes can cause long delays.

New I-17 electronic signs tackle speeding north of Phoenix

New I-17 electronic signs tackle speeding north of Phoenix

I-17 101 traffic interchange

New I-17 electronic signs tackle speeding north of Phoenix

New I-17 electronic signs tackle speeding north of Phoenix

December 5, 2017

PHOENIX – Sending a safety message about dangerous speeding on the steep, winding stretch of Interstate 17 in the Black Canyon City area north of Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Transportation has activated six new electronic signs to tell drivers they’re traveling over the speed limit.

These speed-feedback signs, featuring the posted speed limit and a digital screen, display vehicle speeds to I-17 drivers in areas between Black Canyon City and the Sunset Point Rest Area. The signs, which primarily track traffic in the left lane, display vehicle speeds starting 10 mph below the speed limit as well as “too fast” or “slow down” messages focused toward those who are driving above the limit.

ADOT installed the permanent speed feedback signs earlier this year as part of a $1.1 million I-17 safety project between New River and Camp Verde. They were activated in late November.

A study conducted in advance of the I-17 safety project found that Department of Public Safety troopers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as the leading driver violation in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes that occurred in the Black Canyon City area between 2011 and 2015.

The new speed-feedback signs serve as a safety tool in an area where crashes and other incidents, including disabled vehicles, can cause closures and lengthy delays along I-17’s winding grade.

The three northbound I-17 speed-feedback signs are located near Table Mesa Road (milepost 236), Coldwater Road (milepost 245) and Bumble Bee Road (milepost 247). The southbound I-17 signs are located near Sunset Point Rest Area (milepost 251) and approaching curves on the downhill grade near Bumble Bee Road and Coldwater Road.

Other features of ADOT’s I-17 safety project north of Phoenix include four new digital message boards installed earlier this year to alert drivers to highway conditions and provide safety messages. Crews also have posted additional signs to advise drivers about highway curves.

Speed limits along I-17 generally range from 65 to 75 mph north of Phoenix, with lower advisory speeds on signs in some areas with curves.

ADOT also is studying possible improvements to the I-17 corridor between Anthem Way and State Route 69 at Cordes Junction before finalizing plans for adding new lanes and other safety enhancements.

With the help of funds from the Maricopa Association of Governments, which serves as the metropolitan planning organization for the Phoenix area, projects to add new I-17 lanes in areas between Anthem and Black Canyon City are now scheduled for construction in the years 2021-22.

The concept of building “Demand Lanes” between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point, for use as needed by the busiest direction of travel or in the event of a closure, is just one idea being considered for that mountainous section of I-17. Funding for improvements in that area hasn’t been identified.