By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

If you think you're seeing more motorcycles than usual on Phoenix freeways this weekend, that's because you probably are. Arizona Bike Week and Phoenix Bikefest are occurring through Sunday in Scottsdale and Peoria.

ADOT isn't involved with either event, but we're taking the opportunity to spread awareness about sharing the road with motorcycles. Many overhead signs, especially those on the Loop 101 Agua Fria and Pima freeways, will display this message:

This safety message sometimes elicits responses from drivers of cars asking that motorcycles make safety a priority too. The fact is, vehicle blind spots can hide motorcycles. But drivers of four- and two-wheeled vehicles alike must make safe driving a priority. Speeding is a leading factor in traffic fatalities involving cars and motorcycles.

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit the Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation’s website.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Time is money -- especially when you are a trucking firm with fresh produce and you face a border inspection. You know it is going to take time, and you know you must follow federal and state regulations before that produce gets delivered to warehouse distribution centers.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is continuing its efforts to host meetings, events and programs with transportation leaders, elected officials and heads of trucking firms in Arizona and Mexico on the importance of safety inspections. It is our goal to educate the trucking industry about how safety compliance can reduce inspection times and make roads safer.

With our innovative programs that make our border inspections move efficiently, the results show a direct impact on international commerce and Arizona’s economy. We are helping to improve the flow of commercial traffic while keeping Arizona highways safe.

In 2015, $30 billion in both imports and exports moved through the state’s border ports, supporting 100,000 Arizona jobs.

ADOT, in collaboration with our federal and state law enforcement partners, holds commercial vehicle industry days to provide information about safety regulations, permitting and the inspection process.

I commend our officers who conduct the safety inspections at our commercial ports of entry, in addition to making sure commercial vehicles follow federal and state regulations. It is in this spirit of cooperation and education that we see the connection between international commerce and safety.

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

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Don’t rely on luck or four-leaf clovers to stay safe on St. Patrick’s Day.

If your plans include an evening out, have fun, but make smart decisions before getting in a vehicle. Designate a driver or call a taxi or rideshare service.

Did you know that alcohol-related crashes in Arizona historically spike on St. Patrick’s Day?

To promote smart driving decisions, ADOT will display this St. Patrick’s Day-themed safety message on Dynamic Message Signs statewide.

While leprechauns might be difficult to find, state and local law enforcement will be easy to spot. The Arizona Department of Public Safety will have an enhanced presence on highways, targeting impairment and other dangerous driving behavior, and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with State Troopers, police officers and deputy sheriffs on a statewide DUI enforcement campaign.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

We don’t need an Academy or selfie-taking accountants to tell us who has the best safety message. We want YOU to tell us who has the best entry in ADOT’s safety message contest.

With more than 7,000 submissions, there are now 20 finalists that have advanced to the next round of the contest. From speeding and impairment, texting and seat belt use, to proper use of the HOV lane and general driving safety tips, you get to decide which two messages will appear on signs above Arizona’s highways.

With so many great submissions, ADOT expanded the number of finalists from 15 to 20 and increased the winners from one to two. The winning messages will appear on overhead signs one day each in April.

I commend the creativity displayed from those Arizonans who submitted entries in our safety message contest. We want our residents to be engaged in the conversations about transportation safety. It takes all of us to be good drivers, sharing the road and obeying traffic laws, so we can reduce fatal and serious-injury vehicle crashes.

Do vote by March 15 and I promise you won’t have to worry about wrong envelopes being opened with the winning message.

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

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Voting has begun.

Earlier this week, we revealed the 20 finalists and opened voting in our Safety Message Contest. Did your message make the cut?

Selecting the finalists wasn’t easy. It took close to a week to read through the nearly 7,000 submissions and whittle the list to 20 finalists. The list has variety – funny, punny and serious – and we think everyone will find something appealing.

Voting is open March 1-15 and we’ll announce the winners – the top two vote-getters will appear on overhead signs – in April.

If your entry didn’t make the list of finalists, there’s still a chance it can find its way to an overhead sign. We have already scheduled a contest entry related to an event this month to appear on signs in March and will consider others throughout the year.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

After launching our Safety Message Contest last week, we’ve spent most of the past few days sifting through thousands of clever entries.

The response has been so incredible -- we received 4,000 submissions in the first 24 hours -- that we're changing the contest rules. In a good way!

Instead of whittling down to 15 finalists, we'll select 20. And instead of displaying one winning message on Dynamic Message Signs, the top two vote-getters will appear on signs for one day each in April.

Haven’t entered your winning safety message yet? There’s still time! Submissions will be accepted at azdot.gov/signcontest until Sunday, Feb. 19.

When creating your message, follow these guidelines:

• Signs accommodate three lines and 18 characters, including spaces, per line
• #Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed
• Signs can’t accommodate emoji

In March, we'll post the 20 finalists to our website and let the public choose the winners.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

For many people, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to take time out and show someone close how much they’re loved.

At the Arizona Department of Transportation, we can’t think of a better way to show those closest to us how much they’re cared for than by choosing to engage in unselfish driving decisions that make roads safer. Whether the people closest to you are in the passenger seat, back seat or another vehicle, choose not to speed, drive aggressively, impaired or distracted, and make sure everyone is always buckled up.

In an effort to make that connection, many overhead highways signs statewide will display the following safety message, “Take it slow on Valentine’s Day, obey speed limit.”

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Calling all of you creative thinkers! Have you ever thought of a safety message that could appear on a digital message board over one of Arizona’s highways? Here’s your chance to be creative while thinking of important safety messages.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has kicked off our Safety Message Contest. Here is how it works. Safety messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest until Feb. 19. ADOT will review submissions and select 15 messages to advance to the next round. In March, we’ll post the finalists on our website and let the public decide the winner. The winning message will appear on the message signs for two days in April.

There are certain guidelines that must be followed – only 3 lines and 18 characters per line allowed (including spaces); no phone numbers, hashtags and web addresses permitted; and no emoji.

At ADOT, we have been placing unconventional safety messages on our overhead signs for more than a year. By tapping into the creativity of all Arizonans, we’re hoping to spark even more conversations about safe driving.

Don’t delay; enter as many messages as you like. It’s your turn to be creative in the world of transportation safety.

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

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

So what does ADOT have against traveling to play in the snow?

Nothing, actually. We enjoy throwing snowballs, sledding, etc., as much as anyone. Being able to enjoy mild winters in our deserts and then be playing in the snow in just a few hours is one of the things that makes Arizona so special.

Then why, you may wonder, has ADOT spent so much time of late telling you what NOT to do when you're heading uphill for some winter fun?

Like when we warned against parking on highway shoulders to play in the snow. Or told you that holiday traffic can be heavy around popular snow-play areas, particularly along US 180 outside Flagstaff? Or posted a Facebook video telling you to not pass a snowplow, among other tips? Or warned you that too many people leave for the high country without emergency kits or even proper footwear?

It's simple: We want you to leave prepared and make smart decisions when you reach your winter wonderland of choice, whether that's the Flagstaff area, Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, Prescott or Mount Lemmon. That's part of wanting you to have fun.

With snow in the forecast for Christmas Eve and many people on vacation through New Year's weekend, there's a good chance you're thinking about heading for snow country.

If you do, have a great time. Seriously. Just Know Snow before you go. And be patient: Depending on the severity of the coming storm, it may take our plows some time to get snow and ice off the roads.

Please keep an eye on az511.gov and our Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT) and Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) accounts for the latest highway conditions. You also can call 511.

We can't resist ending with one last piece of advice: When throwing snowballs (after dressing appropriately, driving safely, parking off the highway, etc.), you'll have more success if you aim for your opponent's center of gravity.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

We don’t want a hippopotamus for Christmas. In fact, only safe driving on Arizona’s highways will do.

Whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas and will visit Arizona’s high country or taking a sleigh ride around town, we want you to have yourself a merry little drive.

Aggressive drivers belong on Island of Misfit Toys

To remind drivers that it’s a wonderful life until poor driving decisions are made, holiday movie-themed safety messages will appear on overhead highway signs this week. We drew inspiration from “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Elf” and “Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus.”

Take the messages to heart – don’t drive like a Scrooge or Grinch – so you won’t need a miracle on 34th Street.