Safety

ADOT Kids: Monsoon season is here!

ADOT Kids: Monsoon season is here!

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ADOT Kids: Monsoon season is here!

ADOT Kids: Monsoon season is here!

June 17, 2020

EDITOR'S NOTE: ADOT Kids is an initiative connecting children with transportation-related subjects. Whether or not your child aspires to a career in engineering, we hope everyone finds ADOT Kids fun and informative. You'll find many other activities on the ADOT Kids website at azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Arizona officially entered monsoon season earlier this week. That means many of us will probably experience a few dust storms and heavy rainstorms over the next few months.

Dust storms can be fun to watch live on TV news or YouTube videos. They grow thousands of feet high, dozens of miles wide and sometimes seem like a computer-generated special effect from a blockbuster movie. Did you know on July 9, 2018, a dust storm soared a mile high and traveled nearly 200 miles, going from Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, through Phoenix and on to Yuma before fizzling out near Imperial, California?

Because dust storms can get so big, they can affect roads and people traveling in cars. If you’re in a car and see a dust storm ahead, the driver shouldn't go into it. If a dust storm moves quickly and your car can’t avoid it, ADOT recommends following the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” tips to increase your safety in a dust storm.

To help kids become familiar with dust storm safety, we've created some fun activities that you'll find below and on the ADOT Kids website at azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

CREATE AND SHARE A DUST STORM SAFETY MESSAGE: We're encouraging you to create your own sign to keep people from driving into a dangerous dust storm. At ADOT, we use the slogan Pull Aside, Stay Alive. Create your own message, then take a picture of it and email to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Friday, June 26, and we’ll feature it on our social media and the ADOT Kids webpage! There's a coloring sheet at the bottom, but you can create the message any way you want.

WORD SEARCH: Do you like word searches? If so, you’ll enjoy activity below where we’ve hidden 18 monsoon-related terms.  

CONNECT THE DOTS: The activity below gives you a glimpse at what cars should do when a dust storm is rolling through.

If you want to see some videos of what it’s like to drive into a dust storm – and why it’s dangerous – ADOT has created this playlist of videos on YouTube.

Please keep an eye on the ADOT Blog over the next week for interesting posts about monsoon season, including a video featuring the dust detection and warning system we've installed along 10 miles of Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix. You'll also hear an original ADOT song about dust storm safety.

For more information about the severe weather events that can happen in Arizona during monsoon season, please check out the National Weather Service’s Monsoon Safety Page.


Safety message coloring sheet
(Please email yours to [email protected] and we'll feature it on social media and our website!)

Word search

Connect the dots

 

 

With monsoon season here, is your vehicle rainstorm-ready?

With monsoon season here, is your vehicle rainstorm-ready?

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With monsoon season here, is your vehicle rainstorm-ready?

With monsoon season here, is your vehicle rainstorm-ready?

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications
June 15, 2020

Monsoon season is officially underway. In addition to dust storms, the monsoon brings the potential for sudden, intense downpours.

Now is the time to get rainstorm-ready. Here are some suggestions for prepping your vehicle:

  • Check your tire pressure and tire treads. You don’t want to be caught on slippery road surfaces with poorly inflated or bare tires.
  • Check your windshield wipers. Blades can quickly wear, crack or become rigid. Their average lifespan is six months to a one year. You don’t want to discover during a deluge that they aren’t up to the task. Also, top off your windshield washer fluid.
  • Clean and check your vehicle's battery. Remove corrosion and ensure cables are securely attached to terminals. We live in a state where batteries tend to last about two years. You don’t want to get caught in driving rain when your battery dies.

Now that your vehicle is shipshape, you need to pack supplies. Bring extra water, an emergency kit, a fully charged cellphone, hand sanitizer, wipes and a cloth face mask. Snacks and extra clothes can be handy if you are in a rain-related backup.

Are you ready for the road? Expect the unexpected. Are you in area prone to falling rocks? Stay alert because rain can loosen them. Are you driving into heavy rain, like this photo to the right from several years ago? Consider delaying travel or waiting it out in a safe spot as far off the road as possible.

2020-06-03_11-40-42


Do you know what to do if your vehicle hydroplanes? This is when you drift due to a thin layer of water between your tires and the asphalt. Ease your foot off the gas pedal until you regain traction. Don't brake suddenly. If you are sliding or drifting, gently turn your steering wheel in the direction of your slide.

Even if you're not hydroplaning, don’t brake suddenly or you could slide on wet pavement. Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. To slow down on a wet road, take your foot off the gas pedal and brake slowly.

It may seem like common sense, but do not risk crossing a flooded wash, even it if doesn’t seem deep. Water is a powerful force, as you can see in the photo of past flooding, and you could be swept away. Also, do not drive around “Road Closed” signs. Your risk your life and face being cited under the state’s Stupid Motorist law.

You can find these and other rain safety tips on the weather page of our website. There’s even more safety advice at azdot.gov/monsoon and PullAsideStayAlive.org.

 

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

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Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

Lane adjustments on I-10 already improving traffic, safety

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications
June 9, 2020

It's not often in life that you get immediate results. A lot of things worth doing take time and patience to bear any fruit.

That's why it was gratifying when we saw a noticeable change in traffic flow and safety after crews completed a project to adjust some lane configurations on Interstate 10 at the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway.

ADOT worked in partnership with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to restripe and add signage on I-10 eastbound to give drivers two lanes as they approached the transition ramp to northbound Loop 101. The transition ramp itself was also restriped to provide two lanes for vehicles heading north. On westbound I-10, changes were made to extend one of the two right lanes, which previously only connected to northbound Loop 101, so drivers also had the choice to use that lane to continue west on I-10. That westbound right lane provides more capacity for traffic traveling beyond the Loop 101 interchange.

You can see shots of traffic moving through the completed work in this video to the right. 

The end result? Although the freeway was not physically widened, drivers now have more room while approaching the Loop 101, cutting down on the need for sudden lane changes.

And the benefits have been evident, even during times of lighter traffic. AZDPS reports that traffic is flowing better, there are fewer collisions, and an overall improvement to safety, both for the public and first responders.  

Funny enough, this isn't the first time a relatively simple change to striping and signage has made a noticeable impact on traffic and safety. As we told you about in a previous blog post, a couple of years ago we made similar changes to eastbound US 60 at the I-10, and it resulted in improved traffic flow and a drastic decrease in fender benders. 

Keep your cool: Prepare yourself and your vehicle for summer heat

Keep your cool: Prepare yourself and your vehicle for summer heat

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Keep your cool: Prepare yourself and your vehicle for summer heat

Keep your cool: Prepare yourself and your vehicle for summer heat

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications
June 3, 2020

This will not come as a huge shock to anyone, but Arizona gets pretty darn hot in the summertime.

Most of us beat the heat on a day-to-day basis with a combination of air conditioning, swimming pools and ice-cold liquid refreshment. But what if you're between those things or traveling to someplace more temperate? 

It's important for you and your vehicle to be prepared for these potentially scorching summertime temperatures, no matter where you find yourself. Luckily, we have accumulated some safety tips to help you do just that.

First off, make sure your vehicle is at tip-top shape to beat the heat. That includes:

  • Test your battery, especially if it is past 3 years old. Heat can zap batteries.
  • Check your coolant levels and top them off if necessary. If you are due for a coolant flush, consider getting that done before going anywhere too far away.
  • Make sure to also check your oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid.
  • Confirm that your tires are properly inflated to reduce the risk of blowouts.
  • Stock your vehicle with a first-aid kit, jumper cables and safety flares.
  • Finally, make sure your car's air conditioner is working!

Now that your vehicle is ready to hit the road, remember to be prepared yourself.

  • Plan your travel route in advance and check the az511.gov Arizona Traveler Information site for travel and weather conditions.
  • Take along a fully charged cellphone
  • Bring along plenty of sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and an umbrella.
  • Have a cooler with cold drinking water.
  • Be prepared with some healthy snacks

If there is a crash or your vehicle becomes disabled, make sure to call for assistence immediately. If possible, find a shaded spot to stop and run your air conditioner until help arrives. 

Given the current public health situation, your summer to-go list also should include hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and a cloth face covering.

You can find more tips about how to make sure you and your vehicle can enjoy summer, despite extreme heat, on the transportation safety page of our website. And just keep thinking frosty thoughts until temperatures dip once again!

Prepare yourself and your vehicle before driving in extreme heat

Prepare yourself and your vehicle before driving in extreme heat

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Prepare yourself and your vehicle before driving in extreme heat

Prepare yourself and your vehicle before driving in extreme heat

June 2, 2020

PHOENIX – In addition to disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and other essentials to protect against COVID-19, those taking to state highways these days need to prepare themselves, their vehicles and their passengers in case they become stranded in extreme heat. 

At a minimum, that means taking extra drinking water for everyone, including pets, and a fully charged cellphone. Also think about having an umbrella for shade. 

It’s always important to be ready for a breakdown, flat tire or some other reason for delay, but that need is even more critical in extreme heat. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s tips for driving in extreme temperatures include: 

Have sun protection: In addition to an umbrella, take sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat and wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing.

  • Fuel up: Keep your tank at three-quarters full. Running out of gas, especially in a remote location, is dangerous in extreme heat.
     
  • Hydrate: Take a cooler to keep extra drinking water cold, and consider adding several frozen bottles of water to use for cooling off or to thaw and drink if needed. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays hydrated.
     
  • Get help: If your vehicle breaks down in extreme heat, call for assistance right away to reduce wait time, and run the AC. If the AC isn’t working, roll down all windows.
     
  • Wait safely: If the temperature inside your vehicle becomes too hot, everyone, including pets, should exit carefully and seek out or create a shaded area as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be careful walking on the road surface, which can be hot enough to burn skin. Keep your shoes on and try to keep your pets’ paws off the pavement. If you are stopped along the highway, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights. Please keep in mind that parking in tall brush can start a fire.
     
  • Check your vehicle: You can help avoid breakdowns and blowouts by making sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. Check your air conditioner and coolant levels, top off any vital engine fluids and make sure your battery is up to par. Check your tire pressure, as the combination of under inflated tires and hot pavement can lead to a blowout.

More ADOT tips for traveling in extreme heat are available at azdot.gov/extreme-heat.

To learn how to protect yourself and your family against COVID-19, please visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at azdhs.gov.

As weather heats up, so does potential for wildfires along highways

As weather heats up, so does potential for wildfires along highways

I-17 101 traffic interchange

As weather heats up, so does potential for wildfires along highways

As weather heats up, so does potential for wildfires along highways

May 19, 2020

PHOENIX – Over the weekend, State Route 87 was closed for a couple of hours south of Payson when a brush fire caused by a person broke out along the roadway. While the exact cause isn’t known yet, the 5.5-acre Oak Fire demonstrates why motorists should secure tow chains, properly inflate tires, check brakes and take other steps to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire. 

Just one spark can cause all kinds of problems.

In addition to putting lives and property at risk, fires that spread quickly in dry brush can lead to highway closures and inconvenience for motorists. 

Dragging chains and other metal, a common cause of sparks along highways, can spark multiple brush fires along dozens of miles. In 2018, for example, the 377 Fire burned nearly 5,000 acres and prompted evacuations after a trailer dragged metal along SR 377 between Heber-Overgaard and Holbrook.

“Preventing wildfires is actually a simple task,” said Jesse Gutierrez, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s deputy state engineer for operations. “Please take a few minutes before your trip to make sure tow chains are secure, tires are properly inflated and brakes are in good condition.”

During the winter and spring, ADOT crews mow vegetation along highway shoulders. Crews also remove brush and spray fire retardant within the ADOT right of way to reduce the risk of fires and slow the spread of those that occur. 

Here’s how you can help cut down on sparks that start wildfires:

  • Check and secure tow chains, and never substitute parts when towing.
  • Make sure nothing is hanging from your vehicle or trailer and dragging on the pavement.
  • Check tire pressure. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks.
  • Check for worn brake pads, which can cause sparks from metal-on-metal contact.
  • Don’t park in tall grass, as the heat from parts under your vehicle can start a fire.

For more information on how to prevent fires, please visit wildlandfire.az.gov.

Vote for the winner in ADOT’s Safety Message Contest

Vote for the winner in ADOT’s Safety Message Contest

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Vote for the winner in ADOT’s Safety Message Contest

Vote for the winner in ADOT’s Safety Message Contest

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications
May 13, 2020

Earlier this week, ADOT announced the 12 finalists in our 2020 Safety Message Contest. You can view the messages and vote for your favorite through Sunday, May 17 at azdot.gov/signcontest.

ADOT received more than 4,000 message entries in the contest this year. We considered a few factors when whittling that big number down to a dozen messages. First, we wanted the finalists to represent a variety of safety topics. These messages we selected cover car seats, distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding, turn signals and more.

We also wanted the finalists  to have different tones. Some are serious and straightforward, some rhyme, some are funny (we think so, at least) and some use a play on words or puns. 

No matter your interest in topic or tone, we think there’s something for everyone. So, check out the messages and vote for your favorite. We’ll display the top two vote-getters on dynamic message signs statewide.

ADOT Kids: Here are your safety messages!

ADOT Kids: Here are your safety messages!

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ADOT Kids: Here are your safety messages!

ADOT Kids: Here are your safety messages!

May 8, 2020

EDITOR'S NOTE: During this unprecedented time, ADOT is creating transportation activities for kids. Please visit azdot.gov/ADOTKids or use the hashtag #ADOTKids on ADOT's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts to see what we have going on. 

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

Wow! Thank you for all of the safety messages you kids shared with us over the past week. 

From this one by Bria in Peoria ...

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING
WE'RE NOT PLAYING 
PIN THE TAIL
ON THE DONKEY

... to this one by Allisson in Gila Bend ...

DON'T SPEED
OR YOU WILL BE
SPEEDILY IN JAIL

... every one of these creative messages showed how much you all care about keeping Arizona safe. We had a great time reading them. 

As promised, the video at right has Doug Pacey, our safety projects manager in ADOT Communications, answering your questions and featuring some of your messages. I hope you enjoy it. 

Before we show your art, I hope you're all making freeway decorations for this week's ADOT Kids activity. And in addition to sending us your designs, please share questions about the new Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. That's the largest single highway project in Arizona history. One of the people in charge of building that 22-mile freeway will answer questions about anything that interests you, from the designs to the bridges to the pavement. Please send your questions to [email protected]

Now let's look at your great messages!

 

ADOT Kids: Safety Messages

ADOT Kids: There are many ways to promote safety

ADOT Kids: There are many ways to promote safety

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ADOT Kids: There are many ways to promote safety

ADOT Kids: There are many ways to promote safety

May 5, 2020

EDITOR'S NOTE: During this unprecedented time, ADOT is creating transportation activities for kids. Please visit azdot.gov/ADOTKids or use the hashtag #ADOTKids on ADOT's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts to see what we have going on.

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

I hope you've enjoyed this week's ADOT Kids activity on creating safety messages like the ones we put above highways around Arizona. The messages and colorings you've shared have been great. 

Please remember that every message we receive by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, will go into a slideshow we'll share on the ADOT Blog on Friday, May 8. Please have an adult scan or take a picture of yours and email it to [email protected]

Now, for today's topic ...

Because our goal at ADOT is for everyone to get safely home, one of the ways we celebrate safety is an annual calendar featuring drawings by children and grandchildren of our employees. Every month features a drawing created by a young person, such as the cover drawing at right by Hollie Allen.

I hope you enjoy looking the art and safety messages and are inspired to create drawings and safety messages of your own to share with relatives and friends. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and kids can play a big part in that. 

Let's look at each month's drawing and the safety topic it features. You'll notice that some of these relate to the work we do at ADOT, while others are tips that everyone can use. You can click on any drawing to see a larger version.

What kind of safety drawings and messages could you create for the things you, your family, your friends and your classmates do every day?  

January

 

Safety Calendar-January Drawing

February

 

ADOT Safety Calendar February Drawing

March

 

ADOT Safety Calendar March

April

 

ADOT Safety Calendar April

May

 

ADOT Safety Calendar May

June 

 

ADOT Safety Calendar June

July

 

ADOT Safety Calendar July

August

 

ADOT Safety Calendar August

September

 

ADOT Safety Calendar September

October

 

ADOT Safety Calendar October

November

 

ADOT Safety Calendar November

December

 

ADOT Safety Calendar December

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen vs. Parent Quiz: Who knows more about safe driving?

Teen vs. Parent Quiz: Who knows more about safe driving?

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Teen vs. Parent Quiz: Who knows more about safe driving?

Teen vs. Parent Quiz: Who knows more about safe driving?

By Lourdes Lerma / ADOT Communications
May 1, 2020

As summer arrives, many teens will be spending more time practicing their driving skills and preparing for the driver license test. Along with the preparation can come a struggle between parent and teen of how to drive and who "knows it best." Today's driving quiz aims to help settle the debate. Parents and teens, take the quiz separately to see who really "knows it best!" For those wanting to take the quiz in Spanish, a Spanish version is immediately below the English version. Good luck!