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An Important Message from Dallas Hammit, Deputy Director for Transportation

Fall isn’t officially over just yet, but many parts of our state have already begun to experience wintry conditions. That makes now the perfect time to ensure you and your vehicle are ready to drive in winter weather.

On ADOT’s Know Snow and Ice webpage, you’ll find a number of tips for preparing your vehicle, driving on wet roads and dealing with stalled vehicles. ADOT’s Focus on Driving site also offers a number of resources, including several informative videos.

Besides checking out ADOT’s safe-driving tips, I also encourage you to pack an emergency kit for your vehicle — it can include blankets, a flashlight, ice scraper, shovel, sand for traction, hazard warning lights and a reflective vest. And, when you’re planning your next trip, be sure to bring along items that would help in case you encounter an unscheduled highway closure — that includes a phone charger, drinking water, food and medications.

As always, you can visit az511.gov, download the AZ 511 app or dial 511 for updated road and weather conditions. You can also get unplanned road closure information on the ADOT Alerts app, but remember to never use a cell phone or mobile device while driving.

Safely Home!

An Important Message from Dallas Hammit, Deputy Director for Transportation

The start of a new year is when many people create goals and set intentions, which is why now is a great time for everyone to reflect on their driving habits and resolve to make safety a focus in 2020.

Of course, I’m not implying that everyone reading this is an unsafe driver — I’m just saying there’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety.

Not sure what you can do to be a better driver in 2020? Here are just a few suggestions:

• Don’t speed and don’t drive aggressively.
• Never drive impaired.
• Avoid distractions when you’re behind the wheel.
• Buckle up and make sure your passengers are wearing their seat belts too.
• Move Over.
• Expect the unexpected in work zones.
• Know what to do when you encounter dangerous conditions like, snow and dust storms. 

I also want to encourage you to sign our Driving Safety Home pledge. It’s a great way to kick off the New Year. Print it, sign it and post it where you'll see it every day.

By taking the pledge, you agree to make safety a priority and set a positive example for others — it is a step that demonstrates your individual commitment to being a safer driver. Ultimately, you’re making a promise to yourself, your friends, your family and everyone you share the road with.

If you need more safe-driving tips to take you into the New Year, there are many resources from ADOT. You can visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511.gov or call 511 to get the latest highway conditions before you get on the road. You can also download the AZ511 app and the ADOT Alerts app — both are free and inform you on traffic conditions before you get on the road. As always, please share this information with your family and loved ones — encourage them to take the pledge too.

Finally, I'd like to wish you and your family a safe and happy New Year!
 

An Important Message from Dallas Hammit, Deputy Director for Transportation

Focus on driving — not only is that phrase good, straightforward advice for drivers, it’s also the name of a brand-new ADOT website offering visitors safe-driving resources and tips.

On the site, you’ll find information on a number of safety-related topics — everything from ADOT Alerts and quick clearance to work-zone safety and zipper merge.

There are so many articles, tips, videos and infographics — plus, many of the agency’s current and past safety campaigns are on the site, too. Topics on the site include wrong-way drivers, dust storms, winter weather, child safety seats, Arizona’s “Move Over” law, Safety Corridors and more.

I encourage all of you to check it out at focusondriving.com, and be sure to share the link with your family and friends because we all know that when drivers are informed and up to date, they make better choices.

Problem Solving

There’s one more reminder I want to share with you this month and it has to do with problems. I know that no matter what job title you hold, you encounter problems from time to time. Those problems may be small or they might actually be significant enough that they interfere with your ability to do your job. Through Continuous Improvement, we’ve all been given new tools to solve problems. One of those tools is the problem-solving register.

Utilizing the problem-solving register is crucial to getting your problems addressed and, more importantly, solved. I encourage you all to work with your team and put your problems on the register!