It is National Teen Driver Safety Week and while teenagers might view a driver license as their key to independence, parents and guardians know these new drivers still need plenty of guidance and support…

Inexperience behind the wheel, speeding, seatbelt use and distractions are all factors that put teens at a high risk for involvement in a serious or fatal crash.

The good news is that parents who talk with their teens to establish safe-driving habits truly have a positive impact. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), surveys indicate that “teenagers whose parents impose driving restrictions typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes.”

Getting the conversation started

Knowing where to begin the discussion can be tricky. Luckily, there are a number of resources designed to help parents in their approach.

Launched in 2013 to encourage a dialogue between parents and children, NHTSA’s “5 to Drive” campaign outlines these five crucial rules for teen drivers:
1. No drinking and driving.
2. Buckle up. Every trip. Every time. Front seat and back.
3. Put it down. One text or call could wreck it all.
4. Stop speeding before it stops you.
5. No more than one passenger at any time.

For each of the five topics, the NHTSA offers up facts and strategies that may come in handy as you and your teen talk about future driving habits. You can find more information about the “5 to Drive” campaign at safercar.gov.

Another good source of information is the Arizona Driver License Manual. When you review it with your teen driver, you may want to pay close attention to the requirements for graduated instruction permits and driver licenses.

And don’t forget, you can and should always set a good example for your future drivers, no matter what their age. That means adhering to the rules of the road, buckling up, obeying the speed limit and refraining from cell phone / mobile device use while driving.

By Jennifer Toth
Deputy Director for Transportation

Of all the cargo we transport, none is more valuable than children. Yet tragically, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 years. These deaths, and thousands of serious injuries, can be prevented by properly using car seats, booster seats or seat belts.

In recognition of national Child Passenger Safety Week September 14-20, 2014, I want to remind everyone about properly using child safety seats and seat belts. Not only do they save lives, but child safety seats are required by Arizona law. Children younger than 8 years old and under 4' 9" must be properly secured in a safety or booster seat.

If you currently use a car seat and want to ensure it is properly installed, visit www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm for information about car seat inspection locations in Arizona.

As children grow up, they need to understand the importance of always wearing a seat belt. One of the best ways to teach them is leading by example. This means always wearing YOUR seat belt and making sure all passengers are buckled up or properly secured in the appropriate car seat before you begin driving.

Sharing the Road with Trucks

September 14-20 is also National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. One of the best ways to show your appreciation during this week, and always, is by safely sharing the road with trucks. Here are a few tips, courtesy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

• Avoid blind spots, also referred to as “no zones,” around the front, back and sides of a truck. If you cannot see the truck driver in the mirror, the truck driver can’t see you.
• Don’t cut in front of trucks. They need more time to stop compared to a passenger vehicle. Forcing a larger vehicle to stop suddenly can result in a serious crash.
• Pass trucks safely! Look for the front of the truck in your rear-view mirror and make sure there is enough space between your vehicle and the truck before pulling in front.

By Jennifer Toth
Deputy Director for Transportation

Most Arizona children head back to school in August, so you’ve probably noticed an increase in traffic – and more kids on streets and sidewalks.

As you’re driving, watch for children as they walk and bike to and from school. Kids can be unpredictable, so anticipate they might dart into the path of your vehicle. Slow down, especially on residential streets and near schools, and be prepared to stop.

Parents and guardians:

• Teach and reinforce the importance of walking and biking safely, including the basics of looking both ways before crossing a street and always using cross walks. The National Center for Safe Routes to School program provides tips for getting to school safely. Take a few minutes to review it with the kids in your family.
• Check out the route your child takes to school. Walk or bicycle it with your child and identify potential safety hazards along the way. Point out the safe places to cross the street, as well as driveways or alleys where kids should look out for vehicles entering the roadway.
• Don’t allow children to use headphones or mobile devices to talk, text, play games or watch videos when walking or bicycling. Children need to keep their eyes and ears focused on their surroundings, watching especially for drivers who might not see them.
• Require children to wear a properly fitting helmet if they ride a bike to and from school.

For more safety information, please revisit some of our previous posts.

ADOT crews put up some new signs last week, but hopefully you’ll never get a good view of them while you’re on the road…

That’s because these signs are there to tell drivers that they are driving the WRONG WAY.

“Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs are already in place along freeway off-ramps, but these new, larger versions are being installed and studied along exit ramps at six freeway interchanges. The decision to enhance wrong-way driver signs and markings and observe their effectiveness follows discussions between ADOT, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the state’s Department of Public Safety.

In addition to being bigger (the “Do Not Enter” signs are increased in size from 30 by 30 inches to 48 by 48 inches and the new “Wrong Way” signs measure 48 by 36 inches.), the signs are being placed lower on their posts to see if that will help in alerting confused or impaired wrong-way drivers.

As you can see in the video above, crews also added pavement markers in the shape of large arrows pointing the right way along the exit ramps. Those pavement markers have reflectors to display the color red as a warning to any drivers going the wrong way on the ramps. The reflectors are already in use as part of the lane markings on freeways.

It is not yet known how long the new signs and other changes will be studied before a decision is made about an expansion of the program to other state freeway or highway locations. There are more than 100 traffic interchanges on the Phoenix-area freeway system and more than 475 interchanges along the rest of the state highway system.

ADOT and other public safety agencies work in support of the three E’s of highway safety: engineering, education and enforcement. The sign changes and the addition of the reflective pavement marker wrong-way arrows are examples of near-term engineering steps ADOT can implement and study as part of an overall effort to reduce the risk of wrong-way drivers.

Dust and wind must make for some good poetic inspiration, because we’ve received so many outstanding Haboob Haikus!

This year’s submissions really have showcased the clever creativity of all you poets out there.

We thank you for helping us to spread the message and we hope you’ll continue to tell your friends and family why it’s so important to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”

We’ll continue to keep you updated on driving conditions and the dangers of dust storms. You can monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. And, don’t forget you can find all our dust storm safety driving tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.

Now, back to those haikus…

We want to share a sample of the Haboob Haikus from this year (it was too hard to pick a favorite!).

• Powerful nature / bad impairment of vision/ Stay off of the road!
• Look! A big haboob / I'll speed up and outrun it… / BOOM! I'm such a boob
• Sunset looking good / until Pig Pen’s cloud appears / Good grief, pull aside
• Sand from the desert / an oppressive wind blowing / Pull over and live
• Don't drive into me / Pull over and all lights off / Drive home when dust clears
• Haboob hijacks you / Don't make it mad. Stop and wait / Patience beats haboobs
• Haboobs are dusty / so pull aside stay alive / then go wash your car!
• Clear and sunny day / Oh man...that's a lot of dust! / Pull over, lights off!

Did you have a favorite #HaboobHaiku this year? Let us know in the comments your No. 1 choice. And, if you haven't yet, we invite you to participate in ADOT's new online dust storm survey.

Are you ready for Monsoon season?

It starts this Sunday and brings with it the increased chance of high winds, blowing dust and other conditions that can really impact your drive.

Knowing what to do when a dust storm hits is vital, which is why we want to again remind everyone of our “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message.

The importance of that message is certainly apparent in the powerful video above, in which you’ll hear a first-hand account of just how quickly conditions can change when a dust storm is on the horizon.

We want to make sure you’re prepared, so we invite you to review these safety tips (you can also find them on PullAsideStayAlive.org):

• Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
• Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
• If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
• Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
• Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
• Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
• Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
• Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

DPS Officer Carrick Cook says it best in the video above...

“It’s decisions to go into dust storms that cause those types of crashes and we’re trying to encourage motorists to not even enter it – don’t even run the risk,” he says. “People that continue to go through a dust storm, knowing that it’s there, are recklessly doing that. Zero visibility is the worst-case scenario. There’s no reasonable speed, when you can’t see.”

For more information on dust storms, please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org and check out some of our previous blog posts. We also want to invite you to participate in our dust storm online survey.

As always, drivers planning trips are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Stay safe and remember to Pull Aside, Stay Alive!

If you’ve got 17 syllables to spare, we want to hear from you because #HaboobHaiku is back!

This is the one and only contest (as far as we know) to mix an ancient form of poetry with dust storm safety – the results are always entertaining and educational.

In its third year now, the #HaboobHaiku challenge is designed to reinforce ADOT’s public safety message urging drivers to avoid driving into or through a dust storm. Drivers are instead encouraged to pull off the roadway and wait out a dust storm, rather than trying to drive with reduced or zero visibility (see more driving tips here).

You can read in detail why we #HaboobHaiku in this blog post from last year and you’ll see that our main focus each year is to get people talking about the dangers of driving in dust storms. By building awareness about dust storm safety and our “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message, we hope more drivers will know what to do when that next dust storm hits.

So, are you in? Will you help us spread the word on dust storm safety by coming up with your very own Haboob Haiku? All you have to do is share it with us on Twitter (don’t forget the #HaboobHaiku hashtag and be sure to mention @ArizonaDOT, so we see your poem) or on our Facebook page or even here in the blog comments.

How to Haboob Haiku

Haiku is a type of poetry that conforms to a certain syllable structure. These poems traditionally written in three lines – the first line consists of five syllables, the second line has seven and the third ends with five.

Usually these poems can be on any subject, but for #HaboobHaiku, we want you to focus on monsoons, dust storms and our safety message: Pull Aside, Stay Alive.

You can get some inspiration from our previous dust storm safety blog posts, or you can watch the video above to see top #HaboobHaikus from last year as voted on by the public.

Here are some of our favorites from past years:

• You’re not a Jedi / This is not Tatooine, Luke / Pull over now, man
• Oh snap, crackle, pop / Dust has you blind, pull over/ Or you’ll want to cry
• Dust blows, swirls and grows / Roadways become danger zones/ Pull over, lights off

We can’t wait to see what you come up with this year!

It’s that time of year again.

We’re headed into monsoon season, which means motorists need to be on alert. High winds, blowing dust and other conditions that can impact your drive are more common this time of year.

If you’ve been following us for the past few seasons, you already know the drill…

ADOT works to raise awareness on the subject and urges drivers to take extra safety precautions. We also get the word out when a dust storm is happening through social media, 511 and overhead message boards.

We’ll have more dust storm content for you this week (including a new video and the return of our #HaboobHaiku challenge!), but for now we want to leave you with some safety tips that we hope you’ll read and share with your friends, family and co-workers.

Motorists play an important role in their own safety and the safety of others when operating their vehicles during a dust storm. Here are some driving tips to remember when encountering a low- or no-visibility dust storm:

• Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
• Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
• If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
• Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
• Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
• Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
• Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
• Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

A driver’s alertness and safe driving ability is still the number one factor to prevent crashes.

As always, drivers planning trips are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and check out our dust storm safety website at pullasidestayalive.org.

Safety is an important topic here on the ADOT Blog. From dust storm info and winter driving tips to seat belt rules and tire pressure guidelines, we try to cover it all...

That’s why you better believe we’re not going to pass up the chance to blog about Work Zone Awareness Week, which gets started today. This is the week that’s observed each year by transportation officials across the country in an effort to increase driver awareness of work zone safety issues.

It’s probably pretty clear why work zone safety is a serious topic at ADOT. Our crews are out in work zones everyday, building and maintaining the state’s highways. Their safety is, of course, a high priority. But, did you know that most of the people killed in highway work zone crashes are drivers and their passengers?

You can see that it’s really important for everyone to make work zone safety a priority.

Drivers play a big role in keeping work zones safe

According to the Federal Highway Administration, most work zone fatalities (about 85-90 percent each year) are motorists and their occupants, and 10-15 percent of fatalities are workers and other non-motorized users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

“Driver-related factors that affect work zone crashes include speeding, distractions (such as cell phones, texting, and radios), inattentive driving and aggressive driving,” according to the FHWA. “The main type of work zone crash is a rear-end collision, and adequate following distance is important in avoiding such crashes.”

Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake

This year’s theme highlights the fact that speeding is a major factor that contributes to work zone crashes. According to the FHWA, speeding was involved in 36 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred in work zones in 2011.

But, we all know that speed isn’t the only thing you’ve got to pay attention to when you’re driving.

Here’s a good list of driving tips to keep in mind the next time you’re driving through a work zone:

• Slow down. Speeding is among the major causes of work-zone crashes.
• Wear your seatbelt. It is your best defense in a crash.
• Pay attention. Warning signs, directional signs and flaggers are in place to guide you through the work zone safely, so read and obey them. Using a handheld device while driving is never a good idea - especially in work zones. Minimize other distractions that can take your eyes, ears and attention off the road.
• Expect out-of-the-ordinary road conditions. Be ready for lower speed limits, lane restrictions, detours and lots of activity involving workers and equipment next to travel lanes.
• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work-zone crashes. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and construction equipment and crews as well.
• Obey road crew flaggers. Not only does the flagger have information to guide motorists through the work zone safely, but he or she has the same authority as a regulatory sign. Ignore a flagger and you could be cited. Even worse, you could be involved in a serious crash.
• Don’t cut in line ... or try to keep other drivers out. When lanes are narrowed, merge as soon as the signs direct you to do so. Drivers who wait until the last minute to merge (and cut off other drivers) disrupt traffic flow and slow down the commute for everyone. If you’re already in the open travel lane, be considerate and allow other drivers to merge in early.
• Check road conditions and plan accordingly. Schedule enough time to drive safely. By adding a few extra minutes to your commute, you’ll make up for possible work-zone delays. Check for traffic information in advance by calling 511 or by logging on to az511.gov. Never call or log onto the 511 system while driving!
• Be patient and stay calm. Remember: Road crews are working to improve the roadway and your commute.

For more information, visit the FHWA website or check out some of our previous work-zone safety blog posts.