Category Archives: State Government

Make safety a priority if driving over the Independence Day weekend

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With no closures scheduled on state highways over the extended Independence Day weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation is joining other agencies, including first responders, in asking drivers to focus on safety and staying alert during holiday road trips.

Allow extra time during peak travel periods, including Thursday afternoon, July 3, and Sunday afternoon and evening, July 6.

ADOT and its contractors will be giving motorists a break by not scheduling state highway closures between Thursday afternoon and Sunday night.

Drivers should still expect the unexpected, including unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires or other incidents.

ADOT anticipates heavy traffic and possible delays on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas during peak holiday weekend travel times. That includes the Interstate 17 Improvement Project work zone between Anthem Way and the Sunset Point Rest Area north of Phoenix.

Other highways expected to be busy at times include State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson; US 93 between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam; I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix; and I-8 and I-10 between the Phoenix area and the California state line.

For summer travel, ADOT recommends preparing an emergency kit including extra drinking water. Other items to consider are blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cellphone and charger, snacks, diapers if necessary and a small tool kit. More information about traveling in hot weather is available on the ADOT website.

Because travel delays are possible, don’t forget other important items such as prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. Other road trip safety recommendations include:

  • Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving. Eyes up, phones down.
  • Check your vehicle, including tire pressure and engine fluid levels.
  • Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.
  • Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits.
  • Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary.
  • If towing a trailer, secure chains so they are not dragging on pavement and creating sparks that might start a brush fire.
  • Avoid stopping in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire.

ADOT will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit (IRU), sponsored by GEICO, patrols Phoenix-area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The IRU operators assist state troopers as well as drivers in need of help.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its X feed, @ArizonaDOT.

AZGFD to step up patrols over holiday weekend, promote sober boating

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will be patrolling Arizona’s waterways over the Fourth of July holiday weekend to provide heightened enforcement and awareness about the dangers of drinking alcohol while boating.

Once again, AZGFD will be participating in “Operation Dry Water,” a national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. The goal is to reduce the number of alcohol and/or drug-related fatalities and accidents by spreading this important message to the public: Drinking and boating is a potentially deadly combination.

“Our top priority is to create a safe environment for everyone who is out enjoying Arizona’s waterways,” said Major Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law enforcement programs coordinator/boating law administrator. “If alcohol is being consumed on your boat, always designate a sober operator.”

During last year’s Operation Dry Water campaign, almost 500 local, state, and federal agencies contacted 296,190 boaters and made 584 arrests nationwide for boating under the influence. A total of 10,008 citations were issued, as well as 33,546 safety warnings.

In Arizona, five agencies — AZGFD, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Bullhead City Police Department, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — contacted a total of 2,822 boaters statewide during last year’s campaign, made four arrests for boating under the influence, and issued 89 citations. The agencies also combined to issue 588 safety warnings.

“It’s no different from driving a car on the highway; the operator is responsible for everyone on board the boat,” Rodriguez said.

While the main focus of the campaign is geared toward those who operate a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, officers may also give warnings or write citations for other violations, including not having proper safety equipment, failing to slow down in no-wake zones, operating too close to another vessel, and riding on areas of a vessel that are not allowed, such as the bow or transom.

Arizona state law requires that children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while the boat is underway, and there must be one life jacket on board for every passenger. In addition, a throwable flotation device, usually a cushion with handles or a ring buoy, is required for all watercraft longer than 16 feet (except for canoes and kayaks).

Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. The initiative is credited with removing 7,453 impaired operators from the nation’s waterways.

AZGFD has been an Operation Dry Water partner since the beginning. “Any outreach that helps bring awareness to prevent fatalities and injuries in Arizona is a valuable investment of our time and resources,” Rodriguez said.

For more information on boating in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.com/Boating/.

Days left to enter Super Raffle; win hunt-permit tags

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PHOENIX–If you found yourself tagless after the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2025 fall draw, here’s a deal for you! Conservation First USA is wrapping up its Big Game Super Raffle where tickets to hunt mule deer, white-tail deer, bison, bighorn sheep and more for 365 days are only $10 per species. The best part: There is no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase.

The deadline to purchase tickets is June 30.

Ten lucky individuals will win one of 10 special big-game tags (elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bison, turkey, javelina, bear and mountain lion) for the 2025–26 hunting season.

Purchase the “All 10 Package” and receive one entry per species, PLUS a free entry for the Swarovski Optik Package. There’s more: All orders placed are eligible to win additional prizes in the “Buy Often, Win Big!” program. Read more here.

Details:

  1. Raffle tickets are $10 each, per species.
  2. The deadline to purchase tickets is June 30.
  3. The winner can hunt for 365 days (Aug. 15, 2025, to Aug. 14, 2026)
  4. Raffle tickets must be purchased online, and the buyer must be in Arizona at the time of purchase.
  5. The drawing will be conducted in July.
  6. A complete set of rules can be found here.

June 29 is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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PHOENIX — Time is running out for local sportsmen’s organizations to apply for $75,000 in annual grant funding to provide public, mentored projects that are focused on the recruitment and development of new hunters and anglers.

Applications must be received by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Sunday, June 29. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Online applications and instructions are available at www.azgfd.gov/LSG.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grants program places a high priority on projects that involve the pursuit or harvest of fish or wildlife with a valid license (and any necessary hunt permit-tag) and are geared toward participants who have the appropriate experience and skill levels relevant to a particular project.

“This grant program continues to provide much-needed funding for Arizona’s conservation organizations to connect with the public through quality, mentored projects at a time when there’s a huge demand for traditional outdoor and wildlife recreation like hunting and fishing,” said Doug Burt, AZGFD’s recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) manager.

“The projects from these funds, and the efforts of these community groups, return far more in value than the grant dollars would on their own by providing education about safe and ethical hunting and fishing, and how sportsmen play an important role in wildlife conservation.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona.

Visit www.azgfd.gov/wsfr for more information about how hunters, anglers, shooters, and boaters fund wildlife conservation through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program.

To learn more about AZGFD’s Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) program, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills for hunting, and www.azgfd.gov/FishAZ for fishing.

Traffic fatalities in Arizona dip slightly in 2023

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PHOENIX – Traffic fatalities in Arizona decreased slightly in 2023 but are still near all-time highs, according to the state’s annual report on motor vehicle crashes on all roads, including local streets.

There were 1,307 traffic fatalities across the state last year, a decrease of 0.98% compared to 2022, according to the 2023 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report. Figures show crashes associated with alcohol impairment and inappropriate speed or speeding continue to be leading causes of deaths and injuries, providing an urgent reminder for Arizonans to avoid engaging in unsafe driving behaviors.

Fewer pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities occurred in 2023. Pedestrian fatalities fell by 12.3% and bicyclist fatalities were 10.2% lower than in 2022. Despite these improvements, the 1,307 traffic fatalities in 2023 is the second-highest annual fatality total ever recorded in Arizona and only slightly behind the 1,320 deaths recorded in 2022.

The Arizona Department of Transportation produces the annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, which is a compilation of traffic crash reports provided by law enforcement agencies around the state. The document reflects reported crash data for all Arizona roadways, including city streets, county roads, reservation roads and state highways.

While the number of traffic fatalities were down by about 1% in 2023 compared to 2022, the total number of crashes on all of Arizona’s roadways was up 1.6%, 122,247 in 2023 compared to 120,356 in 2022.

The statistics show that, like in previous years, crashes and fatalities are overwhelmingly driven by driver behavior, primarily involving speed, impairment, and failure to use seat belts.

“Every fatality represents someone’s loved one,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “We need everyone using the roads to work together to reduce these preventable crashes, and we’re working with partners around the state on safety strategies to help meet ADOT’s vision of safely connecting people.”

But ADOT, which maintains the state highway system, can’t do it alone. More traffic fatalities occurred on local roads (828) than on state highways (479), and urban areas saw nearly twice as many fatalities (853) as rural areas (454).

Among factors cited, speed – determined by law enforcement to be unlawful or too fast for conditions – was reported in crashes resulting in 446 fatalities and 20,682 injuries during 2023. This accounted for 34.1% and 38.2% of the totals, respectively. During 2022, speed was a factor in 436 fatalities and 20,137 injuries.

Alcohol-related fatalities have increased in each of the past four years. The 332 killed in alcohol-related crashes represent 25.4% of all traffic fatalities. Male drivers were involved in 72.7% of crashes where alcohol was involved. Drivers ages 25-34 accounted for 35.4% of alcohol-related fatal crashes. Most alcohol-related crashes occur on weekends and at night.

“Everyone expects to come home when they leave their house,” said Jesse Torrez, Director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Speed, distracted driving along with helmet and seat belt usage are a conscious choice. All of these choices can save lives. We have to remind ourselves and others to take a moment and think about home.”

  • There were 258 motorcyclist fatalities in crashes during 2023, which is the highest figure in at least 20 years and an 11.2% increase from 232 during 2022. There are more motorcyclists than ever on Arizona’s roads. Since 2019, Arizona has seen a 33% increase in motorcycle registrations, going from 209,719 to 279,569.

  • Overall, failure to use a safety device, such as a seat belt or helmet, saw fewer fatalities and injuries in 2023 than 2022. In 2023, there were 361 fatalities and 3,239 injuries, while 2022 saw 376 fatalities and 3,301 injuries.

  • The report shows that at least 8,657 drivers involved in collisions during 2023 were engaged in “distracted driving behavior” and 62 of these distracted drivers were involved in fatal crashes. These figures are likely undercounts because drivers may not admit they were distracted or because a distracted driver died in a crash.

The 2023 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report and reports for previous years are available at azdot.gov/CrashFacts.

AZGFD begins rulemaking process to amend its Article 4 (live wildlife) rules

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has issued a Notice of Intent to Pursue Rulemaking to begin the process to amend its Article 4 rules (live wildlife) to implement the recommendations made in the recent five-year review report.

The amendments proposed in the five-year review report are intended to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department’s mission, ensure consistency with state and federal statutes, and to increase the clarity of the existing rules.

Except for the amendments proposed for the rule that allows the possession of live wildlife taken under a hunting or fishing license rule, the department does not believe any of the proposed changes will increase the regulatory burden beyond that which is already required, and will instead serve the goal of simplifying processes, increasing the understandability of the rules, and increasing public accessibility for department services. After evaluating the scope and effectiveness of the proposed amendments specified in the review, additional amendments may be proposed.

The department will accept written comments regarding the live wildlife rules for 30 days, ending on August 8, 2024.

Visit www.azgfd.gov/rulemaking to view the Article 4 rules (click on the link to the AZGFD Laws and Rules Book) and the Article 4 five-year review report.

All questions or comments about the Article 4 rules can be submitted to rulemaking@azgfd.gov or via the online comment form.

Blue Envelopes help drivers with autism during traffic stops

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PHOENIX – Arizona is launching a program through which drivers on the autism spectrum can place their credentials in special blue envelopes to enhance communication with law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

This voluntary program, which includes education for law enforcement officers, follows a model used successfully in Connecticut. The envelope will have instructions for the driver and law enforcement officer to follow and advise the officer that the driver may respond differently to instructions in situations that can increase anxiety.

To provide the necessary groundwork and training, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is partnering with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the University of Arizona’s Police Department, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (ArizonaLEND) training program.

“When I heard about this program in Connecticut, I was extremely fascinated and intrigued to see if we could incorporate it here in Arizona,“ ADOT MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is thrilled to be partnering with DPS and the University of Arizona Police Department to help calm what can otherwise be potentially stressful situations.”

This program will function similarly to the one Connecticut established in 2020. The blue envelope is a voluntary way to hold important vehicle documents such as insurance and registration, while also being a communication tool between the driver and law enforcement during an interaction.

“This program provides explicit support for drivers who choose to participate,” said Jennifer Casteix, UArizona Clinical Professor and ArizonaLEND faculty member. “Better understanding of communication differences should positively impact these interactions.”

After his interim appointment at the University of Arizona in May 2023, Police Chief Chris Olson shared his desire to bring the Blue Envelope Program to the university. Creating partnerships with University of Arizona units that specialize in autism research and caring for the community have been key in laying the groundwork for this program at the University of Arizona.

According to Chief Olson, “The Blue Envelope program is an outstanding public safety initiative that seeks to improve communication between police officers and autistic drivers during traffic stops.”

Director Jeffrey Glover of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said, “The AZDPS is proud to support and be a part of the Blue Envelope Program. A program like this, seeking to enhance safety for both members of the public as well as all law enforcement officers in the State of Arizona, is absolutely invaluable.”

“We are implementing this program with an evidence-based approach to better support law enforcement and autistic drivers to improve safety outcomes,” said Dr. Nell Maltman, UArizona Assistant Professor with the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Training with officers and volunteer drivers to simulate a traffic stop with the blue envelopes will be happening next week at the University of Arizona’s Tucson campus.

The envelopes are expected to be available through ADOT MVD offices, various law enforcement locations as well as other locations across the state starting in May.

For additional information about this program, please visit azdot.gov/BlueEnvelope.

Protect yourself, protect a bear

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PHOENIX — With Arizona’s hottest months right around the corner, how black bears forage for typical food sources will become more challenging. As a result, the chances of them wandering into populated areas in search of an easier meal will be on the rise.

While bears are typically shy and tend to avoid humans, their excellent sense of smell can be problematic for both the animals and humans. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officials advise those living or visiting bear country to avoid feeding wildlife and to not leave trash, food or other attractants accessible (such as pet food or bird seed). Unfortunately, a fed bear is a dead bear.

“If a bear becomes habituated to getting food from trash cans and other human sources, it’s only a matter of time before it loses its fear of humans and begins to actively search out human food sources,” said Larry Phoenix, AZGFD regional supervisor in Flagstaff. “At that point, the bear becomes a threat to public safety.”

Here are some tips to avoid attracting bears:

Keep them away from your home

Keep all trash inside a secured area until collection day. If that’s not possible, keep food waste in a bag in the freezer and place those in the trash as close to collection time as possible.
Take bird feeders down at night.
Keep pet and livestock food inside or remove all uneaten food.

When camping

Keep your food and attractants secured and inaccessible to bears. Do not keep food in your tent.
Don’t burn left-over food or trash on the grill.
Set up your campsite away from places where bears might forage for food, such as creeks, rivers and other bodies of water.

When hiking

Don’t wear scented lotions, deodorant or perfumes.
Make noise or hike in groups.
Hiking with a pet? Keep it on a leash at all times.

In case of a bear encounter

Do NOT run.
Back away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear.
Make yourself look bigger than you are by flaunting your arms or pulling your shirt/jacket up higher than your head.
Throw items and yell at the bear.
If attacked, fight back.

Bear sightings in areas where there is human activity should be reported to AZGFD’s dispatch center at 623-236-7201. For questions, or to obtain a brochure on living with bears, visit www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/.

Drivers on Interstate 17 should plan for nightly lane restrictions in both directions April 15-20

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan for overnight lane restrictions on Interstate 17 during the upcoming week. The restrictions will begin the evening of Monday, April 15, and end the morning of Saturday, April 20, as work continues on the I-17 Improvement Project between Anthem Way and Sunset Point.

Drivers should allow extra travel time, drive with caution, and reduce their speed around construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place:

Northbound Restrictions

  • Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) near Rock Springs/Black Canyon City (mileposts 239-240) nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Thursday, April 18, for earthwork.
  • Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) near Coldwater Road (mileposts 244-245) nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Thursday, April 18, for earthwork.
  • Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) near Coldwater Road (mileposts 244-245) from 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, to 6 a.m. Friday, April 19, for earthwork.

Southbound Restrictions

  • Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) south of Sunset Point (mileposts 250-249) nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Saturday, April 20, for earthwork.
  • Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane between Bumble Bee Road and Black Canyon City (mileposts 246-240) nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Saturday, April 20, for earthwork and placement/removal of temporary concrete barriers.
  • Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) north of Table Mesa Road (mileposts 238-236) nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Saturday, April 20, for earthwork and placement of temporary concrete barriers.
  • Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) north of New River Road (mileposts 233-232) nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, April 15, and ending the morning of Friday, April 19, for electrical work.

Rabies incidents a reminder to keep pets vaccinated

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to protect themselves and their pets by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, especially animals that may be behaving abnormally, such as those that appear overly aggressive and/or lacking a fear of humans.

The reminder comes after a gray fox, suspected of being rabid, bit three people in two separate attacks earlier this month at Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona. The animal was killed as it approached a park service officer. Another gray fox was located and killed last month after it bit a person in a picnic area on Mount Lemmon near Tucson.

Pets such as dogs and cats, as well as livestock such as horses, should be vaccinated regularly against rabies. In addition, dogs should be on leashes when outdoors and a veterinarian consulted if any domestic animals are injured by wildlife. Unvaccinated animals exposed to wildlife with rabies must undergo a four-month quarantine, and vaccinated animals need to be quarantined for 45 days.

“In Arizona, the principal rabies hosts are bats, skunks and foxes,” said Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, AZGFD wildlife veterinarian. “These animals carry their own distinct strains of the rabies virus. When rabies activity within these animal groups increases, rabies can impact other mammals, such as bobcats, coyotes, javelina, cats, dogs, horses, or cows.”