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
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.
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
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.
From the Director: Calling I-17 a 'deadly highway' misses the point
From the Director: Calling I-17 a 'deadly highway' misses the point
December 4, 2017
I-17 Paving
By John Halikowski / ADOT Director
Recent news coverage of a company’s study of highway fatality figures featured attention-grabbing headlines such as “Deadly I-17.” But as a statewide community, we need to take a step back and promote safety when such coverage gives people the impression that the highway is to blame.
Misleading headlines aside, and putting aside that the sources cited for this alleged study began with Wikipedia and included ValuePenguin.com, it’s time for a reality check: You’re missing the point if you focus on the highway instead of the behavior of many who drive it.
We need to understand that driver behavior is the leading factor in highway crashes.
Too many drivers are speeding. Too many drivers are impaired, some to the point where they enter a highway in the wrong direction. Too many of us are driving distracted and not paying attention to what should be our No. 1 responsibility: simply driving, and doing so safely.
Too many of us still don’t wear seat belts. Every year, not buckling up is a leading factor in crash fatalities. More than a quarter of the 962 people killed in motor vehicle crashes here in Arizona last year weren’t wearing seat belts.
Folks, it’s not about the highway. I-17 is a safe highway, designed to meet exacting safety standards. But as with any highway, safety is dependent upon smart driving.
Studies that focus on the number of fatalities on a highway are simplistic. Professional engineers and analysts will tell you that fatalities alone shouldn’t be the sole indicator of a roadway’s safety performance. You need to look at other variables, such as traffic volume and all types of crashes ranging from minor fender benders to severe injury and fatal collisions. Vehicle condition and access to emergency services are just two of many other factors to be taken into account.
An ADOT analysis conducted before the start of a recent safety improvement project along I-17 in the Black Canyon City region found that Department of Public Safety troopers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as the leading driver violation in more than 40 percent of crashes in that occurred in that area between 2011 and 2015.
The safety project along that mountainous section of I-17 has added new signs, including overhead message boards to provide drivers with highway condition and safety information. There are six new “speed feedback” signs with display screens to show vehicle speeds or the words “too fast” and “slow down” to advise drivers who are speeding. When the pavement in that area was recently upgraded, bright new reflective pavement markings were one of the safety measures. They make it easy to see the travel lanes, especially at night.
However, any such measures cannot offset unsafe driving. Speed limits are out there for a reason: safety. Seat belts are in our vehicles for a reason: safety. And not driving while impaired has an impact on, you got it: safety.
In recent years, ADOT completed a climbing lane on the I-17 grade south from Camp Verde. And we’ve moving toward improvements to the stretch immediately north of the Valley by conducting a study of the area 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.
Changing the crash and fatality numbers are directly linked to the steering wheel in your hands. Those numbers can go up or down, but it depends on the choices we make behind the wheel, and the actions we take to let others know that drinking, drugs, cell phones and driving are a deadly mixture. Help me save lives. Please!
This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.
Arizona’s highways will be filled with Thanksgiving holiday travelers this week. Because we want everyone to reach their destinations safely, we're encouraging safe driving through unconventional safety messages on overhead signs.
On Wednesday, “Sober Driver? Dilly! Dilly!” appeared on a selection of overhead signs statewide. The message is a play on a popular meme. Three additional Thanksgiving-related safety messages will appear on signs through Sunday.
Two years ago, on the day before Thanksgiving, we displayed our first quirky safety message. Overhead signs around the state reminded Arizonans that drinking and driving go together like peas and guac. That went viral, and we’ve been picking opportunities to deliver similar messages ever since.
Our safety messages frequently reference pop culture, local events and holidays because those things are front-of-mind for many people. We want to make a connection between people’s interests, whether it’s a U2 concert or a football game or the MLB playoffs, and safe driving. We hope this approach and these unconventional safety messages resonate and prompt conversations among drivers, both in person and via social media, and change driver behavior because speeding, reckless driving and impairment are among the leading factors in fatal crashes.
From the Director: Bringing awareness to traffic incident management
From the Director: Bringing awareness to traffic incident management
November 17, 2017
Traffic Cones
By John Halikowski / ADOT Director
Did you know you should move your vehicle safely off the roadway if you are involved in a minor crash? The law requires you to move your vehicle off the roadway. This effort allows first responders to get to the crash faster and safer. With National Traffic Incident Management Week upon us (Nov. 13-19), it provides a golden opportunity to recognize the effort first responders perform when traffic incidents happen and bring awareness of what you can do to help yourself while in traffic.
National Traffic Incident Management Week aims to bring awareness about the dangers emergency responders face at traffic incidents. Whether those incidents are fender benders to multiple car crashes, emergency responders (fire, police, EMS, tow truck drivers, and transportation/maintenance workers) face the daunting task of helping motorists while keeping traffic moving and protecting themselves from harm. Unfortunately, national figures reflect the inherent dangers first responders face while in traffic:
One tow-truck driver is killed every 6 days
5 firefighters are killed every year
20,000 on average of first responders are injured every year when responding to traffic incidents
At the Arizona Department of Transportation, we can pull vehicles off the roadway. For every minute that an incident takes up lane space, traffic backs up four minutes. We want to minimize the chance of secondary crashes occurring.
I commend our ADOT transportation/maintenance workers who arrive on the scene of a traffic incident and work alongside law enforcement, tow truck drivers, and EMS personnel to safely move traffic.
Be a safe driver. Don’t drive distracted. Don’t drive impaired. Obey speed limits. Buckle Up. Let’s all do our part to keep our first responders safe as well as ourselves in traffic.
This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.
Speed limits lowered on I-17 near Black Canyon City during Veterans Day weekend
Speed limits lowered on I-17 near Black Canyon City during Veterans Day weekend
November 9, 2017
I-17
By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications
Veterans Day falls on a weekend this year, and that means many people will have a three-day weekend by observing the holiday on Friday. Long weekends usually means larger volumes of traffic on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix as Valley-dwellers head north to enjoy Arizona’s high country.
Because that winding stretch of I-17 is in an area where crashes and disabled vehicles can cause closures and lengthy delays, ADOT will lower speed limits during the holiday weekend in an effort to reduce crashes and delays that result from speeding. Between New River and Sunset Point Rest Area, speed limits will be reduced by 10 mph in northbound and southbound lanes of I-17.
Drivers play a role in keeping this heavily traveled corridor open and free of crash-related restrictions. Obey speed limits, don’t drive distracted and make smart decisions behind the wheel.
Also, ADOT crews will strategically stage equipment, such as loaders and utility trucks, minimizing travel delays with faster response times to crashes and stalled vehicles, in three holiday travel corridors: I-17 between north Phoenix and Flagstaff, Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson and State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson.
To be aware of current highway conditions, download the ADOT Alerts app, follow us on Twitter at @ArizonaDOT, visit the Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511.
Tow truck parade kicks off Move Over Awareness Day
Tow truck parade kicks off Move Over Awareness Day
October 19, 2017
Flashing Lights? Give'em space - move over.
By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications
It’s no secret that ADOT uses overhead signs to spread safety messages to motorists in Arizona. Some messages appear briefly and never resurface – these are usually related to one-time events, like concerts – and others become part of a regular rotation.
On Saturday, as part of “Move Over” Awareness Day, this recurring message will appear on overhead signs statewide:
FLASHING LIGHTS?
GIVE ‘EM SPACE
MOVE OVER
In addition to displaying this safety message on about 100 overhead signs statewide, the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association is promoting “Move Over” Awareness Day with a tow truck parade and family-friendly event on Saturday.
Arizona’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to mover over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when driving by any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway. Vehicles with flashing lights includes first responders, ADOT trucks, passenger cars with emergency flashers and tow trucks.
Tow truck operators are exposed daily to the dangers of working in and alongside traffic. Nationally, one tow truck operator is killed every six days. First responders and highway workers are also at risk. Drivers can save lives, including their own, by paying attention and giving responders room to do their jobs.
Let the professionals handle dogs and other animals on freeways
Let the professionals handle dogs and other animals on freeways
October 13, 2017
Dog on highway median
By Peter Corbett / ADOT Communications
When dogs scamper onto or next to freeways, it’s dangerous for all concerned.
Drivers taking evasive action or trying to collar a scampering dog can lead to tragic outcomes. That’s why it’s best to call 911 and leave dog-catching to professionals – troopers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Transportation staff.
The same goes for other animals or debris on the roadway. Get off the highway to safely call 911 to report road hazards. It’s safer for everyone that way.
Frightened dogs on the highway are evasive and nabbing them is a challenge. In some cases, DPS and ADOT will temporarily block traffic to ensure their safety and make it easier to collar the dog or coax it into a vehicle or off the freeway.
It’s a helpless feeling watching dogs on the freeway from a vehicle or on ADOT’s camera, but in many cases authorities are able to save the animals and get them back to their owners. We have witnessed many rescues, from dachshunds to ducklings.
We have some additional tips on how to ensure your pet never gets loose on a freeway.
