By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

One of the one of the best-selling musical acts in history with more than 20 Grammys, played Glendale on Tuesday night. Because of U2's international recognition, ADOT played off of the band's lyrics to promote highway safety and even managed to catch the attention of the band!

The post above from U2's Instagram account received more than 58,000 likes. Our sign reminding drivers to use their blinkers was also featured on U2's official Facebook page.

We received plenty of feedback on the signs.

While we're glad you enjoyed the signs, we also hope you remember the underlying safety message when you're behind the wheel. As our last Crash Facts report showed, Arizona motor vehicle crash deaths rose last year, and the leading factors – speeding, impairment and seat belt use – are all under our control.

We hope the messages you see on the highway change driver behavior by prompting conversations in homes, the workplace and elsewhere. The keys to safety are in your hands, even where the streets have no name.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

The Labor Day holiday weekend often means packing up the family for one last summer road trip. Have fun if you to take that trip, but make sure you’re prepared in case you encounter problems while on the road.

Unexpected road closures or a mechanical issue with your car can put a damper on your weekend plans. While you can’t control when these things happen, you can be prepared just in case.

Pack water and snacks

The No. 1 thing you should always have in your car is water – and plenty of it. It’s always a good idea to put that water in a cooler to keep it cold or add several frozen water bottles for cooling off or to thaw and drink. Avoid getting hungry by having extra snacks on hand. A healthy snack can go a long way to calming your kids if your family gets stuck on the road for an extended period.

Bring necessary medication

No matter how long or short your road trip, it’s always a good idea to have your necessary medication on hand. A medical emergency is the last thing you want while on a trip.

Keep phone fully charged

If you’re delayed because of a road closure or another unexpected event, a charged cellphone will allow you to call emergency crews, check the status of a traffic incident and keep your family updated on your whereabouts.

Before you leave home, remember to visit the Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov to see if there are any issues with your planned route.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

You’ve heard us say it many times: “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” when visibility gets low because of dust. But do you know what to do if you encounter heavy rain or flooding on the roads?

Monsoon season is still upon us, meaning heavy downpours are possible at any time. Even though much of the state is desert, heavy rain and flash flooding occur every year.

Today we’re sharing tips about driving in a downpour:

• Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. It's easy to underestimate the power of running water; just a foot can carry off a vehicle.
• Avoid areas where water is pooling in travel lanes; if possible, use center lanes and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.
• Do not drive around ‘Road Closed’ signs. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s stupid motorist law.
• If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.
• Expect the unexpected. Have extra supplies, including an emergency kit and drinking water, in case you experience an extended highway closure.
• Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall prone areas.
• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other travel lanes. Braking and shorter stopping distances will be affected by wet roads and slippery roadway surfaces.
• It's important to always be looking ahead for potential problems. In low-lying areas along our state highway system, debris, mud and rocks can wind up on the roadway. Keep an eye out for storm debris ahead.
• Before you drive, inspect your windshield wipers and replace them if necessary.
• Turn on your headlights while driving.
• Avoid sudden braking, which can cause you to slide on the wet pavement. To slow down, take your foot off the gas pedal and brake slowly.
• The tires of larger vehicles, like trucks and buses, create spray that can lessen visibility, so don’t follow them too closely.
• Be cautious of hydroplaning. This occurs when a thin layer of water accumulates between your tires and the asphalt and your vehicle loses contact with the roadway. You might suddenly feel your vehicle sliding or drifting because you’ve lost traction. If you feel you are hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas pedal until you regain traction. Do not brake suddenly. If you are sliding or drifting, gently turn your steering wheel in the direction of your slide.

Arizonans face all types of severe weather and need to be ready to take swift action when the weather abruptly changes.

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.