Those driving along State Route 347 between Interstate 10 and Riggs Road are seeing another reminder of the speed limit – in the form of large white decals being tested on the pavement, alongside existing speed limit signs.

The reason for this test by ADOT? Speeding.

As our news release noted last week, ADOT's review of law enforcement crash reports found that officers cited "speed too fast for conditions" as a driver violation in more than half of the crashes along SR 347 between I-10 and Riggs Road.

This test, a first for Phoenix-area highways, has pavement decals showing where the northbound speed limit transitions from 65 mph to 55 mph approaching the Maricopa Road intersection and from 55 mph to 45 mph as drivers approach the I-10 interchange at Queen Creek Road.

For those going southbound on SR 347, decals are in place where the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 55 mph approaching Riggs Road.  

We're also testing pavement decals with speed limit reminders at a location along US 160 in northeastern Arizona.

If you can relate to any of the following, Child Passenger Safety Week is for you:

• A soon-to-be parent, puzzled by the options and choices of infant carriers, rear- and forward-facing car seats, and booster seats.
• A grandparent discovering that child seats today are far different from the ones their own children used.
• A mom or dad who wants to be sure they’ve installed the car seat correctly – we’ve all been there.

The good news is that during Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 15-21) there will be opportunities statewide to assure and answer any child-safety-seat subjects.

Through its “Children Are Priceless Passengers” program, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety coordinates child safety seat check events throughout the state, and there are many this week.

The proper use of car seats is important because every day more than 2,600 kids younger than 13 are involved in a car crash. Vehicle seats are designed for taller and larger adults; car seats keep kids safe, but more than half of all child safety seats are installed incorrectly.

More information about child safety seats:

No matter where you live in Arizona, use this webpage to find the nearest child passenger safety technician.

Check National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to see if your child’s safety seat has been recalled by the manufacturer.

When it comes to putting out fires, not all heroes drive big red trucks.

This week, ADOT recognized three members of SRP’s Water Construction West team for doing the right thing at the right time. SRP’s Bryan Dodge, Danlee Yazzie and Vince Ortega helped keep traffic moving and, more importantly, kept motorists safe when they put out a big fire involving a tractor-trailer last month.

Just before 3 p.m. on July 2, a semi on the shoulder of I-10 near the Loop 101 interchange was on fire. Fortunately, Bryan, Danlee and Vince made the decision to stop their full water truck and start knocking down the fire (as you can see in the photo below that SRP shared with us). Not only did they help keep traffic moving – the afternoon commute was beginning – they kept the traveling public safe by quickly putting out the fire.

Every day, there are incidents, like crashes, stalled vehicles, unsecured loads and, yes, vehicle fires, on our highways that require first responders. Law enforcement, maintenance crews and fire fighters are typically the first ones on scene. What was different this time is that we got an assist from unexpected partners. Bryan, Danlee and Vince truly were the right people in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.

 And they didn’t hesitate.

That’s why ADOT was pleased today to present Bryan Dodge, Danlee Yazzie and Vince Ortega with our A.I.R. Award, standing for ADOT's core values of accountability, integrity and respect. They may not be ADOT employees, but they upheld those principles by taking action to protect public safety.

At ADOT, our No. 1 goal is for everyone to get home safely.

Of course, we cannot accomplish that goal alone. We need drivers to help by making better choices behind the wheel. There are too many preventable collisions, fatalities and injuries occurring on Arizona’s roads.

We know this because ADOT publishes the Motor Vehicle Crash Facts Report every year. The report is a compilation of traffic crash reports provided to ADOT by law enforcement agencies around the state. The report reflects crash data for all Arizona roadways, including city streets, county roads, reservation roads and state highways.

According to the latest report, Arizona saw fewer crashes, fewer fatal crashes, fewer injury crashes and fewer crash-caused injuries on its roadways in 2018 compared to 2017. However, despite reductions in those key areas, the number of total traffic fatalities increased by 2%.

Here are some other key takeaways from the report:

• From 2017 to 2018, Arizona saw fewer deaths in alcohol-related crashes, speeding-related crashes and those not wearing seat belts. In fact, alcohol-related fatalities were reduced significantly last year, falling from 324 in 2017 to 261 in 2018. These reductions were accomplished despite Arizona seeing its total licensed drivers grow by nearly 90,000 to 5.3 million and the total number of vehicles registered in the state surpass 6 million for the first time.
• The number of people killed not wearing seat belts fell for the fourth year in a row — from 258 in 2015 to 216 in 2018 — but unbuckled occupants still account for more than a fifth of all traffic fatalities.
• Total crashes and fatalities involving motorcycles and bicyclists also saw a decrease. The total number of collisions involving motorcycles fell by 6% and fatalities dropped from 161 in 2017 to 150 in 2018. Collisions involving bicyclists saw a 14.6% decrease and fatalities (24) fell to the lowest total since 2012.
• Pedestrians account for nearly a quarter of the 1,021 killed in vehicle crashes. Pedestrian-related fatalities have climbed from 155 in 2014 to 245 in 2018. Most pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas and pedestrians should cross streets only at marked crosswalks where drivers expect to see them.
• Officially, there were 11,898 drivers engaged in “distracted driving behavior” that were involved in collisions, including 42 fatal crashes. However, it is widely accepted that number of crashes caused by distracted drivers is much higher than reported because distracted drivers that cause crashes typically don’t admit to the act or died in the crash.

So, what can we learn from the data? I think it shows that all of us have a big responsibility and as drivers, we need to reflect on our behaviors and make adjustments. I encourage you to visit ADOT’s Focus on Driving website for safe-driving tips and as always, please share what you learn with your family and loved ones.

It’s Shark Week!

Discovery Channel is back with its annual viewing extravaganza featuring this predator that resides near the top of the marine food chain.

Did you know there were 130 reported incidents of shark-human interaction worldwide in 2018? According to the International Shark Attack File, a scientific organization that compiles data from all known shark attacks, 66 of the shark-human interactions were unprovoked shark attacks, while 34 of the remaining cases were confirmed as provoked attacks.

Since this is an ADOT blog post, you’re probably wondering sharks relate to transportation. Well, as an avid scuba diver who’s been around sharks, I want remind you that sharks aren’t the mindless killers they’ve been made out to be.

But you know who is? The reckless driver.

Just take a look at ADOT's homepage, which displays the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes year-to-date in Arizona. Nearly all of those traffic fatalities could have been prevented if drivers made the choice to not drive recklessly or impaired, weren’t distracted or had buckled up.

Sure, sharks have rows of razor-sharp teeth. But they won’t harm you if you give them space. Can you say the same about the driver more interested in a group text than paying attention to the road ahead?

Let’s all drive safely, and happy Shark Week!

This year's monsoon hasn't hit with anything too bad, at least so far, but it's always helpful to be reminded of how hazardous extreme weather can be.

According to The Associated Press, on this date in 1917 a 5-mile stretch of the Ajo Highway was reported washed out and the southern Arizona communities of Sasco and Silverbell were cut off as roads and bridges were destroyed. Also on that day, hail fell 6 inches deep in Flagstaff.

Whew – that's a bad weather day!

Now with the caveat that today's state highways are paved and built to stand up to savage weather, this bit of history shows that sometimes Mother Nature will pull out all the stops, including while you are driving.

That's why we are constantly reminding people to check the weather along their routes before hitting the road. If you encounter weather while driving, remember some common-sense safety tips:

• Expect the unexpected. Have extra supplies, including a fully charged cellphone, drinking water and an emergency kit in case you experience an extended highway closure.
• Before you drive, inspect your windshield wipers, and replace them if necessary.
• When faced with low- or zero-visibility conditions, pull your vehicle off the road as far to the right as possible. Turn off your lights, set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake pedal. These steps reduce the chances that other drivers mistake your vehicle as the one to follow. As we always say, Pull Aside, Stay Alive!
• Don't risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn't look deep. Water is a powerful force that should not be underestimated. Even a few inches of running water poses a serious risk.
• Turn on your headlights while driving in heavy rain or snow.
• Reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Our website has these and a plethora of other tips for any driving conditions you might encounter including snow and ice, rainstorms and dust storms. 

No one knows when we'll have another day like in 1917, but the least you can do is make sure you are prepared, just in case.