Safety

Drivers can help prevent dangerous roadway debris

Drivers can help prevent dangerous roadway debris

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Drivers can help prevent dangerous roadway debris

Drivers can help prevent dangerous roadway debris

December 11, 2013

From seat belts and dust storms, to snow, work zones and tire pressure – we know that you know there are plenty of things to consider before getting on the road…

But, do you ever think much about roadway debris? It’s a potential danger all drivers should be aware of – it’s also something that everyone can help prevent.

“ADOT maintenance crews are picking up tons of debris in any given year and our crews wind up picking everything, including the kitchen sink,” says ADOT’s Doug Nintzel in the video above.

Last year, crews picked up more than 36 tons of rubber alone. There were also appliances, luggage, mattresses, ladders, furniture, buckets and your average everyday litter.

What can you do?

Drivers need to make sure their vehicle loads are tied down and covered. It’s also important not to overload your vehicle. To cut down on the chances of having a blowout (that’s what contributes to the tons and tons of rubber out on the roads), it’s essential that you maintain your vehicle’s tires and make sure they’re at the proper pressure.

“Make sure that you’re not letting things fly off your vehicle,” Nintzel says in the video. “It’s about keeping drivers and their passengers safe.”

ADOT ready for winter season; snow removal remains priority

ADOT ready for winter season; snow removal remains priority

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT ready for winter season; snow removal remains priority

ADOT ready for winter season; snow removal remains priority

November 13, 2013

PHOENIX — The first snowflakes fell from the skies in northern Arizona last month — an unusually early start to the snow season. The Arizona Department of Transportation readily responded to that event and is ready for more, as preparations for its winter operations take place all year long.

Because of Arizona’s diverse climate, travelers can find themselves driving from the sunny, moderate climate of the low desert to ice and snow in the state’s mountain regions in just a couple of hours. Winter weather conditions can quickly cause havoc with travel plans and businesses. As a result, ADOT — and drivers — need to be prepared.

Public safety is ADOT’s top priority when winter storms move in and snow and ice develop on the roads. ADOT resources are quickly deployed before, during and after storms to keep state highways safe for travelers. The department’s goal is to limit highway closures and to clear snow and ice as soon as possible. To date, ADOT’s 192 snowplows are serviced and ready, 450 snowplow operators are trained and on alert, and maintenance yards are stocked with deicer materials and equipment.

ADOT’s yearly budget for snowplowing and winter storm maintenance is between $4 million and $8 million, depending on the severity of the winter season. Last season was particularly heavy, as ADOT spent approximately $8.7 million on snow removal efforts. This figure includes labor costs, equipment expenses, fuel and deicing agents.

While ADOT is prepared to keep the roads clear and open, the agency is encouraging motorists to be prepared as well when driving in snowy and icy conditions and near snowplows on the road. Winter can be a dangerous time with wind, ice, snow and freezing temperatures causing unsafe conditions. With that in mind, ADOT recommends the following winter driving tips:

  • Slow down, be patient and drive safely. Plan for extra travel time. Use extra caution around snowplows.
  • Be alert: ice forms on bridges first and is hard to see.
  • When driving behind a snowplow, stay back at least four car lengths until it’s safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road. If you think you’re traveling too close to a plow, you probably are. Be safe and stay back!
  • Never pass a snowplow that’s in the process of clearing snow and ice off the road.
  • Maintain at least a three-quarter full tank of gas.
  • Notify someone of your travel route, destination and projected arrival time.
  • Carry an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, extra clothes, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a shovel, sand for traction, a fully charged cell phone, and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
  • Brake slowly to avoid any panic braking or jerking the steering wheel.
  • Increase the distance between you and the traffic ahead.
  • Carry plenty of food and water, and all necessary medications.
  • Carry tire chains, snow cables or snow tires.
  • Wear warm clothes to protect you during extended time periods in cold temperatures.

Additional information can be found on ADOT’s “Know Snow” website at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 5-1-1 or log on to ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features real-time images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

DPS, ADOT to focus on I-17 north of Phoenix as 'Safety Corridor' over Labor Day weekend

DPS, ADOT to focus on I-17 north of Phoenix as 'Safety Corridor' over Labor Day weekend

I-17 101 traffic interchange

DPS, ADOT to focus on I-17 north of Phoenix as 'Safety Corridor' over Labor Day weekend

DPS, ADOT to focus on I-17 north of Phoenix as 'Safety Corridor' over Labor Day weekend

August 29, 2013

PHOENIX – Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area, one of the busiest highways at the start and end of the Labor Day weekend, will be the focus of a safe-driving campaign starting Friday (Aug. 30), as part of a taskforce lead by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

DPS will assign six highway patrol officers, two commercial vehicle enforcement officers and several freeway service patrol members to work along I-17 between Black Canyon City and the State Route 69 interchange at Cordes Junction on Friday and Monday (Sept. 2) as part of the state’s Labor Day Traffic Safety Taskforce.

ADOT will use its overhead message boards in the area to display the words “Safety Corridor – Stay Alert, Stay Alive,” heading into and during the holiday weekend. In addition, portable message boards also will display safety messages such as “Buckle up” and be available to advise drivers of incidents ahead.

“The Arizona Department of Public Safety is dedicated to eliminating crashes on Interstate 17 this weekend,” said DPS Director Robert Halliday. “Our ultimate goal at DPS is zero fatalities statewide. With the help of our partners at the ADOT we will be focused on preventing crashes by enforcing speed limits, safety belt usage and driver attention.”

DPS, ADOT, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Arizona Department of Health Services also have teamed up with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Medical Center and the Yavapai County Citizens Corps’ Community Emergency Response Team to provide traffic safety information to drivers at two locations on Friday and Monday.

Drivers can stop by the “Labor Day Safe Driving Fairs” at the Outlets at Anthem, I-17 and Anthem Way, as well as the Sunset Point Rest Area from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Personnel will hand out bottled water and, if necessary, be prepared to provide basic first aid for holiday weekend travelers.

According to ADOT statistics, Labor Day weekend was the deadliest holiday weekend in Arizona last year. Seventeen people were killed in 14 fatal crashes on highway and local roads across the state over the extended Labor Day weekend in 2012.

“Obviously it will be a much safer and enjoyable weekend if we can avoid serious incidents or traffic tie-ups along I-17,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “State agencies are teaming up to promote public safety and to be ready to respond quickly if accidents or other incidents happen. Drivers can do their part by buckling up, avoiding distractions and not tailgating.”

ADOT will have equipment ready, including a front loader, dump truck and roadway sweeper, to allow crews to respond to help DPS officers along I-17.

Law enforcement officers around the state will be working to take impaired drivers off the road, according to Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Alberto Gutier.

“Alcohol was involved in more than a third of the fatal crashes across the state over last year’s Labor Day weekend,” said Gutier. “This I-17 safety campaign is part of a statewide effort where officers will target impaired drivers who put innocent lives at risk. If you drive hammered, be prepared to get nailed.”

Drivers also are urged to get a good night’s rest before heading out on a holiday weekend trip and to check their vehicles, especially their tire pressure, oil and fluid levels and engine belts and hoses.

There’s a lot riding on your tires, including your safety

There’s a lot riding on your tires, including your safety

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There’s a lot riding on your tires, including your safety

There’s a lot riding on your tires, including your safety

August 20, 2013

It is important for all drivers to inspect tires routinely.

By Jennifer Toth 
ADOT
 Deputy Director for Transportation

Did you know that your safety, and the safety of your passengers and other drivers, could be riding on your tires?

The role of tires in transportation safety has been a major topic for lawmakers, and car makers, for the past several years.

About a decade ago, researchers attributed more than 74,000 crashes a year to blowouts and flat tires.

In 2000, the federal Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act (TREAD) mandated the installation of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) in vehicles manufactured after 2007.

Today, TPMS alert drivers to an underinflated tire. The required TPMS is the reason why you might see a warning light illuminate in your vehicle nowadays. It’s more than a courtesy; it’s a tool designed to prevent crashes, reduce injuries and save lives.

Even if your vehicle has a TPMS, you should inspect all four tires and the spare regularly, advises Lionel McFarlane, ADOT’s safety liaison for Equipment Services.

Check your tires before a road trip and at least once a month for the following:

Correct tire pressure: Maintain the recommended tire pressure in all four tires. You can find the recommended tire pressure on the sticker or placard inside your vehicle door or in the owner’s manual for your vehicle.

  • Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge. You can’t always tell just by looking if a tire is under- or over-inflated;
  • Check tire pressure when the tires are cold (about three hours after your last drive).

Uneven or rapid wear: This could signal the need for a wheel alignment. A misalignment can also cause tires to squeal and your vehicle to pull to one side or another.
Road debris: Even new tires sustain damage if you hit or run over debris. Check for nails and screws, glass and metal in the tire surface, shoulder and sidewall.
Cracks and dry, brittle rubber: These are the ugly symptoms of “dry rot,” which requires tire replacement.
Anything out of the ordinary: Check the tire surface, shoulder and sidewall for deep cuts (“gorges”), bubbles that look like air pockets or other anomalies.
Properly fitting valve caps: The valve caps should be on all the time to keep stem clean and prevent you from forcing sand and debris into the tire when you fill it with air.
Enough tread: Tire tread ensures proper traction with the road surface. Tread below 2/32 of an inch means your tires cannot grip the roadway. On a wet road surface you might feel your vehicle slip or “hydroplane,” causing you to slide or lose control. Tires have a ‘wear bar’ so you know when the tread is below 2/32 of an inch.

  • Try the coin test. Put an upside-down penny or quarter in your tread. If the president’s head is covered, you have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. If you can see the president’s head, you’re tread is too low.
  • For maximum traction on wet roads, consider replacing tires when the tread reaches 4/32 of an inch; if snow is a concern, keep the tread above 6/32 of an inch.

Keep in mind: There’s no set time-frame for your tires to last. Their lifespan depends on your driving habits, driving conditions and factors outside your control, such as running over a nail. That’s why it is so important for all drivers to inspect tires routinely and repair or replace them as needed.

Vote for your favorite #HaboobHaiku

Vote for your favorite #HaboobHaiku

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Vote for your favorite #HaboobHaiku

Vote for your favorite #HaboobHaiku

June 21, 2013
Blog Default

Who says safety messages have to be humorless or uninteresting?

Not us and certainly not anyone out there who has taken part in Haboob Haiku: Year Two!

Not only have you turned in some really inspired poetry that’s fun to read, but you’ve helped us spread the important “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message for a second year in a row.

Safety is of course the main reason why we #HaboobHaiku, but as we stated last year, we hope that by building public awareness through social media you’ll continue to help us spread our messages when a dust storm (or any road closure/emergency) hits.

We’ll remind you one more time that you can find dust storm safety tips, videos and more on our website, PullAsideStayAlive.org.

OK ... now on to those haikus!

We read all of them and narrowed it down to our favorites. Today, we’re asking you to help us choose this year’s top #HaboobHaiku.

Voting ends Wednesday, June 26. We’ll announce the winner next Friday (like last year, we don’t have any prizes to offer – the winner will just have major bragging rights)!

*After you've selected your favorite #HaboobHaiku in the survey below, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the poll and click, "Done.

Thank you for voting! This survey is now closed.

Annual report shows that motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona down slightly in 2012

Annual report shows that motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona down slightly in 2012

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Annual report shows that motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona down slightly in 2012

Annual report shows that motor vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona down slightly in 2012

June 6, 2013

ADOT’s yearly Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report 2013

ADOT’s yearly Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report shows that 823 people lost their lives in crashes on state and local roadways in Arizona in 2012.

It’s a very slight decrease from the previous year’s number, however the report also reveals that motorcycle-related fatalities actually increased by more than 5 percent from 2011 (139 in 2012 compared to 132 in 2011).

Hopefully these statistics can serve as a reminder to all of us on the importance of safe driving.

Here are some more figures from ADOT's 2012 Arizona Crash Facts report:

  • There were 103,176 total crashes recorded in 2012 (down 0.58 percent compared to 103,774 crashes in 2011)
  • One person was killed in a motor vehicle-related crash every 10.65 hours
  • Crashes with injuries accounted for 32 percent of all crashes, while 67 percent of all crashes were listed as “property damage only”
  • Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 14 percent (132 deaths in 2012 compared to 154 in 2011)
  • 72.5 percent of all crashes occurred during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Motor vehicle crashes also created economic losses approaching $3 billion in Arizona last year. Economic losses tied to fatalities, including wage and productivity losses, totaled $1.2 billion, while losses from property damage added up to more than $640 million
  • Alcohol-related fatalities decreased by 2 percent (281 deaths in 2012 compared to 287 in 2011)

"These figures should remind all of us to make a pledge to resist distractions and concentrate on safe driving," said ADOT Director John Halikowski. "Public safety agencies met recently to begin updating Arizona's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. One area sure to receive even more attention in the coming year is motorcycle safety. We urge all motorcyclists to seriously consider safety-training courses and remind all drivers to increase their awareness when sharing the road with motorcycle riders."

You can read the entire 2012 Arizona Crash Facts report online

ADOT urges drivers to take precautions to prevent wildfires

ADOT urges drivers to take precautions to prevent wildfires

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT urges drivers to take precautions to prevent wildfires

ADOT urges drivers to take precautions to prevent wildfires

May 23, 2013

PHOENIX — Before drivers embark on their Memorial Day Weekend road trip, the Arizona Department of Transportation urges motorists to take a few extra precautions with much of the state under severe fire restrictions.

Dry, hot and windy weather in Arizona creates ideal conditions for a wildfire, and motorists should be aware of the important role they play in wildfire prevention.

In 2012, approximately 55 percent of wildfires in Arizona were human caused and most could have been prevented, according to State Forester Scott Hunt with the Arizona State Forestry Division.

“Roadside fires can ignite from a car pulling a trailer with improperly adjusted safety chains dragging on the pavement and creating sparks, or the careless disposal of smoking materials,” Hunt said. “Taking simple precautions will reduce roadside fires in Arizona.”

Preventing wildfires is everyone’s responsibility, especially when operating a vehicle. ADOT recommends following these wildfire prevention tips to reduce the threat of fire along Arizona’s roads.

  • Avoid driving or parking your vehicle in tall grass that touches your vehicle’s exhaust system
  • Never throw a lighted cigarette out the window of a vehicle
  • When pulling a trailer, attach safety chains securely; loose chains can drag on the pavement and cause sparks, igniting roadside fires
  • Look behind you before driving away to check for signs of a developing fire
  • Observe “Red Flag” warnings. Warnings are issued when weather conditions are conducive to the easy start and rapid spread of wildfires
  • Always use a spark arrestor in internal combustion engines

Driving into wildfire smoke can be dangerous; avoid active fires by calling 5-1-1 or log onto ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov to seek alternate routes.

Additional information on wildfires can be obtained through the Arizona Emergency Information Network, the state’s online source for real-time emergency updates, preparedness and hazard information. An excellent source for wildfire information is www.wildlandfire.az.gov, which is supported by wildland fire agencies in Arizona as part of an interagency collaboration.

ADOT equipment 'Roadeo' focuses on safety, skills

ADOT equipment 'Roadeo' focuses on safety, skills

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ADOT equipment 'Roadeo' focuses on safety, skills

ADOT equipment 'Roadeo' focuses on safety, skills

April 17, 2013

At this year’s Safety Partnering Roadeo, which was held March 26-27 at the State Fairgrounds facility in Phoenix, ADOT welcomed more than 400 people to participate in over 66 classes and various safety/training events…

But, what’s a roadeo?

There’s no roping, bull riding or barrel racing at an ADOT roadeo, but you will find plenty of events designed to test the skills and knowledge of equipment operators from all around the state.

Four components make up the two-day event that’s open to not only ADOT employees, but also equipment operators in the private sector and from other governmental agencies.

There’s a driving course, which is designed to test an operator’s ability to maneuver a vehicle through a series of obstacles. The main objective is to complete the course without hitting any of the obstacles and to operate the equipment in such a way as to demonstrate safe and proper equipment operation.

Next, there’s an equipment inspection that challenges an operator’s ability to perform a pre-trip inspection on the pieces of equipment on which they’ll be competing with. There are several safety and/or mechanical defects that must be identified on the unit inspected from a list of 50 possible defects.

Operators also have to complete a written test that factors into their overall score.

Most importantly, there’s the safety training – this is the primary focus of the roadeo and several safety training breakout sessions were held this year.

Judging from the video above, this year’s event was a good mix of friendly competition and lots of safety training, which is a big benefit to participants.

“The guys can go back and say, ‘hey, there’s something new out there I learned,’” says Highway Operations Manager Ron Curtis. “The more information you get, the better you are.”

ADOT’s Director of Safety and Risk Management Sonya Herrera explains the safety emphasis.

“We had about 419 people who attended training for a total of 703 hours,” she says in the video. “So this really does help make traveling on the state’s roadways, as well as those of our municipal partners, safer.”

Crossing the gore area is not allowed

Crossing the gore area is not allowed

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Crossing the gore area is not allowed

Crossing the gore area is not allowed

November 27, 2012

Gore area: the space between a through roadway and an entrance or exit ramp. If it’s been a while since you studied up on the Arizona driver license manual, you might not recall that it is against the law to drive through a gore area ... or that it's three points against your license if you violate this traffic rule.

But your driving record isn't the only thing to worry about – crossing through the gore area is a dangerous move.

DPS Officer Carrick Cook explains that in 1998, DPS Officer Doug Knutson died after being struck by a vehicle that had crossed into the gore area. Officer Cook says that shortly after the tragedy, a law was passed making it illegal to cross or park in the gore area.

That law is very much enforced out on the roads in this state...

DPS statistics show that in just over three years, Arizona DPS officers have issued nearly 6,000 tickets to motorists for driving through the gore area. In that same time frame (July 2009 through earlier this month) officers have also issued 1,983 warnings.

Avoiding the gore area
Motorists should easily be able to identify a gore area – there are a few characteristics that are included in their design to aid drivers in recognizing the gore, according to ADOT State Traffic Engineer Al Zubi.

“We have included features to the marking of a gore area, such as a wider line, raised pavement markers on the side of the line to better delineate it and a dashed pavement marking configuration and end point to emphasize that the motorists need to keep out of the gore,” Zubi said.

Drivers who have no other alternative except to park in the gore area likely won’t receive a ticket. Officer Cook says if a car is disabled, the driver can stop in the gore area if that’s their only option, but it is recommended to pull into in the emergency shoulder lane or exit the freeway if at all possible.

“The simple fact is that it’s such a short area,” Officer Cook said of the gore. “People don’t anticipate crossing that line and it could cause some significant injuries … it’s a dangerous violation that we take very seriously.”

Read the state statute concerning gore areas. For more rules of the road, check out the Arizona driver license manual.

Highway crews rely on training and experience to deal with extreme heat

Highway crews rely on training and experience to deal with extreme heat

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Highway crews rely on training and experience to deal with extreme heat

Highway crews rely on training and experience to deal with extreme heat

August 9, 2012

Crews on ADOT projects take precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but it is really, really hot out there …

A lot of us are lucky to work indoors during the warmest parts of the day (thank goodness for air-conditioning!), but here at ADOT many employees are stationed outside to work.

That is why ADOT and its workers take every precaution to prevent heat-related illness, particularly when temperatures hover well over 100 degrees. As you can imagine, heat-related injuries are a potential hazard for ADOT crews across the state. On asphalt or concrete, temperatures often soar 15 to 20 degrees above the air temperature!

ADOT trains its employees to know that exposure to summer heat can be life threatening if not treated properly. Highway workers are taught to monitor themselves and their co-workers for signs of heat-related incidents and to use common sense when working out in the hot sun.

“As highway and construction workers, we must be prepared to work in the elements every day,” said Granite Construction Safety Manager Mike Flynn, whose construction company has worked on several ADOT projects. “It is imperative our employees are trained both mentally and physically in the hazards of being out in the heat. Everyone must recognize and act upon signs of heat stress, not only for yourself, but also with your fellow workers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of safety and health legislation, each year thousands of outdoor workers experience serious heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion. If they’re lucky, someone recognizes the symptoms fast enough to move them out of the heat, give them water and help cool them down. If not, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. For 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 4,190 workers nationwide suffered from heat illness and 40 died from heat stroke and related causes on the job.

Heat safety training is a critical task for ADOT’s Health and Safety Office. Workers who are exposed to high temperatures are required to complete a heat stress training class.

They learn to know the signs and symptoms of heat injury, and to observe proper work practices. That includes drinking enough fluids, taking adequate rest breaks, wearing protective sun gear and knowing first aid procedures for treating heat illnesses. In addition, ADOT offices involved in highway work across the state conduct their own “Safety Stand Down Days” to review heat and other safety issues.

Through successful use of heat stress training and other methods, only seven ADOT employees have been treated for heat-related illnesses since 2009.

In addition to training, ADOT uses various strategies to mitigate the effects of the heat:

  • Projects are usually started earlier in the day before the hottest hours in the afternoon.
  • Workers use a ‘buddy system’, where they are responsible for observing fellow co-workers for early signs and symptoms of heat disorders.
  • Summer standards include switching some paving to nighttime shifts once daytime temperatures reach 100.
  • Retrofitting highways with one inch overlays of temperature-sensitive rubberized asphalt is typically avoided during the hottest months of the year.
  • Employees who have not been working in hot environments are recommended to have at least a 7 to-10 day acclimatization period during which they need to take extra time to rest and replenish liquids.
  • ADOT has a large supply of safety products for distribution to employees. The Health and Safety Office provides large amounts of sunscreen to employees who work outside. Additionally, the department has access to other sun protection gear, including hard hat sun shades and long sleeved safety shirts.