By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Millions of Americans will be treated to a rare celestial event next week. A total solar eclipse will occur over North America with the path of totality traveling from Oregon to South Carolina on Aug. 21.

Here in Arizona, however, we’ll see a partial eclipse. While we won’t get the full show, we want to remind drivers not to stop their vehicles in roadways or on shoulders to view the eclipse. Stake out a safe place far away from the road – and don’t forget your eclipse glasses.

The eclipse will begin around 9:10 a.m. and end around noon in Arizona. Peak viewing will occur around 10:30 a.m. Keep in mind that the exact times will vary, depending on your location.

For more details, visit NASA’s webpage devoted to the eclipse.

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.

NOTE: Today’s blog, for our Spanish-speaking audience, covers how to safely drive near semitrailers and other large trucks. An English version of this blog is available here.

Por Lourdes Lerma / ADOT-Comunicaciones

¿Sabe usted que necesita una reserva de espacio alrededor de su vehículo cuando viaja cerca de un camión de carga/tráiler?

Hace unos días iba conduciendo por el Interestatal 17 con dirección sur, a mi lado iba circulando un camión de carga/tráiler de los que tienen 18 llantas/neumáticos. De repente, escuché un fuerte ruido, vi como el camión se estremeció y le empezó a salir humo de las llantas (todo pasó en fracción de segundos). Continué conduciendo en mi carril y vi que justo enfrente del camión se encontraba un carro tipo sedán, que de manera peligrosa frenó, intentando cambiar al carril de la derecha para llegar a la rampa de salida del Interestatal 10. Gracias a que el conductor del camión iba atento al camino, pudo evitar que varios vehículos chocáramos.

Cuando viajo por carretera, muy a menudo observo a vehículos que rebasan a los camiones de carga y que se les hace fácil colocarse justo enfrente del camión sin guardar una distancia segura.

Cuando viaje cerca de semi-remolques/camiones es importante recordar las “Áreas Ciegas”, esos ángulos a los lados del camión que impiden que los choferes observen a los vehículos viajando a su alrededor. Siempre tenga en cuenta lo siguiente:

• Nunca maneje muy cerca de los semi-remolques, enfrente, atrás ni a los lados.
• Nunca maneje enseguida de la cabina del chofer del camión.

Este video de CNN le explica por qué es importante guardar su distancia.

Si usted no puede ver la cara del chofer en el espejo lateral del camión entonces el chofer tampoco puede ver el vehículo de usted. Y recuerde, los vehículos pesados necesitan tiempo y espacio adicional para frenar, así que siempre mantenga una distancia segura.

Si tiene preguntas puede comunicarse conmigo al [email protected].

By Lourdes Lerma / ADOT Communications

Do you know how much space you need to be safe while traveling close to a semitrailer?

I was traveling south on I-17 recently, and next to me was an 18-wheeler. Suddenly I heard a loud noise, saw the semi shudder and saw smoke pour from the wheels – all in an instant. I continued driving in my lane and saw a sedan in front of the big rig that had slowed dramatically in an attempt to merge into the right lane and onto the ramp to I-10. The truck driver’s attentiveness prevented a crash that could have involved multiple vehicles.

When I travel, too often I see vehicles that don’t leave a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle behind them. When driving near large vehicles, it’s especially important to remember the “No Zone” – blind spots that can hide passenger vehicles from truck drivers:

• Never drive too close to a semi, and avoid maneuvers that put you close in front of a semi.
• Avoid blind spots next to the truck’s cab.

This CNN video explains why it’s important to keep your distance.

If you can’t see the driver’s face on the truck’s side mirror, then the driver can’t see your vehicle. And remember that heavy trucks need extra time and space to stop, so always give them plenty of room.

The Arizona Trucking Association has more information on the No-Zone and offers other safety tips at sharetheroadaz.com.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

The Arizona Department of Transportation will be constructing a first-in-the-nation thermal detection system, to alert law enforcement and other drivers of wrong-way vehicles in Phoenix. The system will be installed first on Interstate 17 from the I-10 to Loop 101. Based on the performance of the pilot system, further expansion to other freeways in the Valley will be explored.

Here is how the system will operate. On freeway ramps, wrong-way drivers will trigger alerts including illuminated signs with flashing lights, aimed at getting drivers to stop. The system will immediately warn other drivers through overhead message boards as well as law enforcement. Cameras in the area will automatically turn to face the wrong-way vehicle so traffic operators can better track it. On the freeway, thermal cameras placed at one-mile intervals will signal when a wrong-way vehicles passes so State Troopers plan their response and get out in front of the wrong-way driver.

The advantages of this system begin with automatically alerting ADOT and DPS to wrong-way drivers at the point of entry and getting State Troopers to wrong-way vehicles faster rather than wait for 911 calls from other motorists.

ADOT engineers continue to study new technologies that promote highway safety for all users, including tools for detection, tracking and notification of wrong-way drivers. This new system being installed can reduce the risk, but it can’t prevent wrong-way driving.

As I have said in previous posts, driving impaired, whether from alcohol or drugs, is selfish behavior and risks the lives of others. ADOT and our law enforcement partners can only do so much to tackle the problem of wrong-way driving. Statistics show the majority of wrong-way drivers are impaired. We all need to do our part in reminding family members and friends to be safe drivers behind the wheel; that includes not driving impaired.

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

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

As summer temperatures heat up, we want to inflate awareness about the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure.

Annually in the U.S., there are about 11,000 tire-related crashes that result in about 200 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under-inflation is a leading cause.

SaferCar.gov offers these tips will keep your vehicle’s tires in shape:

• Inflate your tires according to the pressure specified in your vehicle’s manual or tire information label on the driver’s side door edge.
• Properly inflating tires improves fuel efficiency, providing as much as 11 cents more value per gallon.
• Follow your car’s maintenance guidelines and rotate tires as specified. Also, be sure they are balanced and aligned correctly for optimal performance.
• Check the tread on your tires. Tires should be replaced when tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch. Running out the clock on your tires can result in a blowout.
• Many newer vehicles have automated tire pressure monitoring systems. Typically, these alerts are sent when a tire is significantly deflated, making regular checks is a good idea. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove box.

Not only will properly maintained tires keep you safer, it will keep shredded tire carcasses – sometimes called “road gators” – from creating safety hazards on our highways, roads and streets.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Traffic fatalities on Arizona’s local roads and state highways climbed higher for the second straight year. Driver behavior continues to be the leading factor in motor vehicle collisions.

Making travel safer begins before drivers turn the ignition. Too many people make the deadly decision to drive impaired, whether by alcohol, prescription pills or other drugs, and put all of us at risk. None of us should accept this selfish behavior and it’s everyone’s business to stop impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. I’m asking all of us take the initiative and drive safely behind the wheel.

In 2016, 962 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, 65 more than the year before, representing a 7.3 percent increase. The number of collisions also went up, rising 8.6 percent to 126,845. These increases follow national trends.

If motorists made better choices like wearing a seat belt, paying attention, obeying speed limits, and not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, lives would be saved. I know you would agree with me that we all have a responsibility to make wise choices when driving.

If you would like to learn more about our state’s statistics, the Arizona Department of Transportation publishes an annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report. You can find the 2016 report at azdot.gov/CrashFacts.

Please join me in sharing these important statistics with family, friends and neighbors. Let’s all do our part to decrease the number of fatalities and crashes in Arizona.

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

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

The plan: Use cutting-edge technology to identify when dust storms might be forming and let the public and media know when and where. Activate signs in the area where dust storms are most likely to encourage drivers to get off the road.

But this was 1973, and technology wasn't ready to keep up with engineers’ imaginations. According to Desert Dust: Origins, Characteristics and Effect on Man, edited by Arizona State University geologist Troy Pewer, an analysis performed in 1975 showed that warning signs were unable to keep up with changing weather conditions.

“The time delay between field observation and sign activation or status change resulted in warning messages displayed when they were unwarranted, or no warning messages displayed when dust was blowing,” he wrote. Even if the warnings had been accurate, many drivers ignored them: 66 percent reported that they made driving decisions based only on the weather outside their windshield.

A redesigned warning system in 1976 gave only general warnings and alerted drivers through announcements on three commercial radio stations. An analysis determined that, despite limited data, the warnings made it less likely drivers would be involved dust-related crashes.

Fast forward.

As Monsoon 2017 begins, ADOT is getting ready to seek bids for work on a pilot dust detection and warning system that will use many of the same principles as that 1973 program.

The difference this time: 21st century technology.

By late 2019 or early 2020, a 10-mile section of Interstate 10 near Picacho will have a detection system that will identify reduced visibility along the freeway and look into the distance for approaching storms. Warnings signs, overhead messages and reduced speed limits will activate automatically. Traffic operators will monitor the situation via closed-circuit cameras.

Just as in past decades, turning a good idea into safer freeways when dust blows will depend on what drivers do with the information. ADOT has been asking drivers to Pull Aside, Stay Alive since 2011, and that applies whether you're driving through between mileposts 209 and 219 on I-10 or anywhere else in Arizona.