Tag Archives: Phoenix

Motor-vehicle crash fatalities rose in 2015, preliminary data show

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PHOENIX — The figures remain preliminary, but it’s already clear that motor-vehicle crash fatalities on Arizona roadways increased in 2015 – and that speeding, impaired driving and failure to use seat belts and other restraints contributed significantly.

At present, the Arizona Department of Transportation is reporting 891 motor-vehicle crash fatalities for 2015. That number, which is incomplete while ADOT collects reports from law enforcement entities around the state, surpasses the 773 fatalities in motor-vehicle crashes during 2014.

Data through September 2015 show that speeding, impaired driving and failure to use seat belts and other restraints were each factors in more than a third of motor-vehicle crash fatalities.

The increase in fatalities has leaders of state agencies that look after the safety of motorists calling for Arizonans to reflect on how they act in the driver’s seat.

“We often talk about the E’s of traffic safety, including engineering, education and enforcement,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “But another E is equally important, and that is everyone. For Arizona to move toward our goal of zero fatalities, everyone must think about their responsibility to others when they get behind the wheel.”

ADOT collaborates with stakeholder groups and other agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Health Services, to set and work toward goals in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (azdot.gov/shsp), a comprehensive framework for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on all public roadways. Emphasis areas include speeding and aggressive driving, impaired driving, occupant protection and motorcycle safety.

“A significant cause of fatal crashes in Arizona, in addition to impairment and failing to use seat belts, is speed, unsafe lane changes and following too close,” said Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “Aggressive driving is a crime and puts everyone on the road at risk. If you see it, report it.”

Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said it’s especially important for drivers to understand how poor decisions can end in tragedy.

“Alcohol is involved in more than a third of the fatal crashes across the state,” Gutier said. “Everyone should be aware of just how devastating impaired driving is in this state, and those who put innocent lives at risk by doing so should be prepared to face the consequences.”

“It’s important to securely buckle up all of your passengers,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “Creating a healthy environment inside your vehicle includes the use of seat belts and zero distractions. That email or text can wait.”

A final number for 2015 fatalities will be available when ADOT publishes its annual Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report later this year.

The highest annual number of motor-vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona occurred in 2006, with 1,301 on highways and local roads. In the five years preceding 2015, the toll was 773 in 2014, 844 in 2013, 831 in 2012, 754 in 2011 and 762 in 2010.

AzCDL Gun raffle and 2nd Amendment rally at State Capitol

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G34AzCDL is raffling off three Glock Model 34, Gen 4, long slide, 9mm pistols tricked out with extended controls, 4.5# triggers and reversible magazine releases. Each pistol comes with two 17 round magazines. Glock’s Model 34 uses the same magazines as the Model 17.

Each ticket represents THREE chances to win. Only 900 tickets were printed. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at AzCDL’s online store.

The drawing is only a few weeks away on Sunday, March 6. Because we have been so focused on the Legislative session we have been delayed in getting the word out about this great raffle. We have plenty of tickets left. We may not be able to sell them all. That means the odds of you winning could be pretty darn good. At the moment everyone who already bought a ticket has about a 50 to 1 chance of winning a spiffy new Glock. Get your tickets today!

Winners do not have to be present for the drawing. However, winners must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearms from a federally licensed (FFL) firearms dealer. If a winner does not qualify for the possession of these firearms, their ticket is invalid and a new winner will be drawn.

AzCDL is self-funded and fiercely independent. We are beholden to no political party. No outsiders, no sugar daddies, no corporate string pullers, no national organizations, and no New York billionaires. We do not flood your mailbox or email in-box with “the sky is falling, send money” messages like many other organizations. Raffles are our fundraisers. Help support AzCDL – buy raffle tickets!

2A Rally – Saturday

Gun Rights Across America (GRAA) and Riders USA have teamed up for a rally supporting the Second Amendment this coming Saturday, February 20 at the Arizona State Capitol between Noon and 2 PM. AzCDL’s president, Dave Kopp, has been invited to speak at the rally. More information can be found on this Facebook page and at Riders USA’s website. You can also email Mike Sullivan at Riders USA for more information.

Safety improvement project on SR 169 will require impacts next week

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Drivers traveling on State Route 169 next week will need to allow additional time to reach their destination as crews continue work on the safety improvement project. Starting on Tuesday through Thursday crews will mill the existing pavement, repave the roadway and remove concrete barrier between milepost nine and 10.

Work hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Drivers will be guided through the work zone with a pilot car in alternating directions; delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. The speed limit through the work zone will be 45 mph.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

This $1.6 million safety improvement project includes widening the existing roadway to provide new turn lanes, drainage improvements, signing and new striping.

Take advantage of MVD alternatives

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PHOENIX — By expanding the use of technology and third-party options, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is making it ever easier for motorists to renew vehicle registrations, apply for driver licenses and more without visiting MVD offices.

Numbers for 2015 tell the story:

4.4 million: That’s the number of transactions by residents processed last year through ServiceArizona.com. That’s an increase from 4.2 million in 2014. This past year, 60 percent of all vehicle registration renewals were done through ServiceArizona. In addition, 3.3 million transactions were processed through ServiceArizona.com by businesses like car dealerships, bringing the total to 7.7 million transactions. ServiceArizona is accessible through desktops, laptops and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

4 million: That’s the number of 2015 transactions processed by Authorized Third Party businesses conveniently located around the state. It’s an increase from 3.8 million in 2014.

By comparison, Motor Vehicle Division offices, which typically handle more complex transactions, processed 3.1 million in 2015.

Another notable number: 22. That’s how many Authorized Third Party businesses offer assistance with driver licenses and identification cards in addition to the vehicle title and registration available at most authorized businesses. That’s an increase from seven such businesses in 2014. The Motor Vehicle Division aims to continue to increase that number.

Offering more options to customers is among the ways the Motor Vehicle Division is improving service and meeting Governor Doug Ducey’s call for innovation and efficiency in state government.

“At MVD, our vision is to get Arizona ‘out of the line and safely on the road.’  Our private industry partners and online service options through ServiceArizona.com make these important transactions more convenient for Arizonans to conduct,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said.

Other alternatives include 39 ServiceArizona kiosks located in many Motor Vehicle Division offices and a couple of city courthouses. These kiosks offer the same functionality as the ServiceArizona website.

For more information, visit ServiceArizona.com.

A list of Authorized Third Party businesses and MVD offices can be found at azdot.gov/mvdlocations.

ADEQ Issues Renewable Energy Permit to Facility in Rural Arizona Creating New Jobs and Protecting the Environment

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today issuance of a first of its kind air quality permit in Arizona to Concord Blue Eagar, LLC (Concord) for a new facility in Apache County, to produce renewable electricity and wood char using innovative processes. In record time for a class II permit, it took ADEQ only 85 days to complete the process from an administratively complete application to issuance, which gives the company authorization to construct and operate the facility.

Located in rural Arizona, the new facility is expected to create more than 40 new jobs – 30 during construction and 12 full-time once operation begins – benefitting the local economy, community and the environment. According to Concord, the facility will process 75 tons per day of wood fuels to operate.

“The Concord Blue facility in Eagar, Arizona offers the potential to increase the market value for small diameter ponderosa pine stands that we need to thin in order to create fire adapted communities and resilient ecosystems in the forested regions of our state,” said the State Forester, Jeff Whitney.

Using a unique technology that heats wood to create a natural-gas-like fuel, Concord plans to generate electricity from materials collected during forest thinning operations, as well as community plant trimmings and sawmill wood debris. Applying this technology at its Eagar plant will produce one megawatt of electricity for the Navopache Electric Co-Op Incorporated, as well as generate enough power to run the plant.

“Concord’s plan to use wood from forest thinning would help foster healthy forests, reduce excess wood that could fuel larger forest fires, clean up unwanted wood debris, and promote community safety,” ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera said. “Swiftly permitting the Concord facility also is an outstanding example of how ADEQ is working with industry to support environmentally responsible economic growth in Arizona.”

Concord Blue Vice President Project Management Scott Noll stated, “Throughout the permitting process, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality air permitting staff provided very helpful guidance regarding air dispersion modeling and did an excellent job expediting their review process once our full application was deemed complete.”

Thanks to significant process improvements implemented agency-wide, ADEQ now issues air quality permits 70 percent faster than just four years ago. Governor Ducey has challenged all state agencies to operate at the speed of business and ADEQ is delivering with faster, cheaper, better government without sacrificing environmental protection. Additional examples include:

  • A 25 percent reduction in vehicle emissions testing fees for more than one million Maricopa County residents;
  • A more than 50 percent reduction in the average time required to return facilities to compliance; and
  • Reducing the time it takes for customers to obtain public records by 70 percent by being the first Arizona agency to leverage technology to make its public record metadata available through an online application called MegaSearch.

Concord plans to begin operating the power plant by the end of 2016 and is working to secure the necessary wood fuel contracts. For more information about the Concord technology, please visit: http://www.concordblueenergy.com/

ADOT’s first TowPlow clearing stretch of I-40 faster, more efficiently

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PHOENIX — An innovative new snowplow is allowing the Arizona Department of Transportation to remove snow and ice more efficiently by having one driver clear the width of two lanes.

The first TowPlow to join ADOT’s fleet of 200 traditional snowplows is assigned to 20 miles of Interstate 40 between Williams and Bellemont west of Flagstaff. The device saw its first use during this week’s snowstorm.

The TowPlow is a steerable trailer with a 26-foot blade that’s attached to the back of a regular snowplow truck. The combination, able to plow a 24-foot-wide path, lets ADOT clear more lanes in less time using less fuel.

“It’s been a very busy year for ADOT’s winter operations, and as we work through this latest storm the TowPlow has already been out on the highway plowing snow and ice,” said Dallas Hammit, ADOT’s state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “This new plow is a time-saving and safe addition to the department’s fleet of snowplow trucks and provides a higher level of service to all drivers and travelers.”

When possible, ADOT will run another snowplow truck alongside the TowPlow setup, clearing both lanes and the shoulder at once. To keep vehicles at a safe distance, a flag car will be positioned behind the snowplows traveling side by side.

ADOT will evaluate the TowPlow’s performance this winter before deciding whether to purchase more.

As with any snowplow, drivers need to do their part to stay safe:

Slow down: Stay well behind the safety vehicle that follows the TowPlow.
Don’t try to pass: The flag car and the plows will move over periodically and allow traffic to pass when it is safe to do so.
Remember: The road behind the TowPlow and other snowplows is the safest place to drive. For more tips on preparing for travel in snow country, please visit azdot.gov/knowsnow.

Vehicle license tax report for 2015 now available on ServiceArizona.com

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PHOENIX — With another tax season at hand, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is once again offering a free online way to learn how much vehicle license tax you paid in 2015.

Vehicle Fee Recap, available through ServiceArizona.com, also allows vehicle owners to obtain the amount of any specialty license plate donations.

From the ServiceArizona home page, a customer can select the Vehicle Fee Recap link and follow the simple instructions to receive a free, printable report. The Vehicle Fee Recap report will only contain information for the previous calendar year.

Owners of vehicles registered in Arizona who wish to use the data provided in the Vehicle Fee Recap report for tax returns should seek guidance from the Internal Revenue Service, the Arizona Department of Revenue or other tax professionals.

The Vehicle Fee Recap feature of ServiceArizona is also accessible by mobile devices.

Information about all services offered by MVD can be found at azdot.gov/mvd.

ADOT to host Small & Disadvantaged Business Transportation Expo

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation and partner agencies will hold an event Wednesday, Feb. 10, offering tips and tools to owners of small businesses and companies qualifying for the agency’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

The DBE & Small Business Transportation Expo, scheduled for 7 a.m. to noon at Glendale Civic Center, will allow attendees to learn about project opportunities, network with industry professionals and business owners and hear from transportation leaders including featured speaker ADOT Director John Halikowski. Also participating are the Phoenix Public Transit and Street Transportation departments, Valley Metro and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“ADOT is committed to providing equal opportunity to businesses wishing to help build and sustain Arizona’s transportation infrastructure,” Halikowski said. “In federal fiscal year 2015, ADOT alone awarded $40 million in contracts to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.”

ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program helps qualifying small businesses compete for contracts. The companies must be owned by individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged groups, including women and minorities.

“ADOT’s DBE program is critical to helping to reduce barriers to entry and teaching DBEs and small businesses how to fish, thrive and survive in the transportation industry,” said Dr. Vivien Lattibeaudiere, manager of ADOT’s Business Engagement and Compliance Office. “With access to project opportunities, they can become a meaningful part of building the transportation infrastructure in our state.”

To register for this free event, visit adotdbeexpo.com.

Although the expo is geared toward Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and small businesses, it’s open to all businesses, public agencies, vendors and community partners with an interest in the transportation industry.

For more on the workshop or ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, contact the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance Office at 602-712-7761 or visit azdot.gov/dbe.

Heavy weekend traffic expected again on US 180 near Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – Those planning to use US 180 near Flagstaff this weekend should budget extra travel time as people head to play in the snow, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

With the latest forecast calling for snow starting Sunday morning and picking up into Sunday night and Monday, drivers should leave prepared for extended time in wintry weather and ready to drive in adverse conditions.

Those preparations should start with having a fully charged cellphone, plenty of gas, drinking water and winter coats, warm blankets or both. Among other helpful items: healthy snacks, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand for traction and hazard warning lights or reflectors.

On roads with snow and ice, slow down, drive according to road conditions and leave extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Give snowplows plenty of room, starting with maintaining four car lengths behind a plow. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road.

For more information on preparing to travel in snow country and driving in adverse weather, please visit azdot.gov/knowsnow.

Don’t pull over on highways or interstates to play in the snow. It’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders. Use designated parking areas.

To avoid congestion heading home through Flagstaff at day’s end, consider taking an alternate route offering a more direct path to Interstate 17 via Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue. Signs direct motorists there from US 180.

El Niño storms keep ADOT crews busy repairing potholes

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PHOENIX — This winter’s El Niño-fueled storms are leaving the Arizona Department of Transportation and drivers with some bumpy reminders of the one-two punch our highways take from Mother Nature and traffic.

The good news is ADOT crews regularly examine state highways for potholes and address them as quickly as possible, making short-term patches followed by long-term repairs.

But conditions that lead to potholes will keep coming, including a storm forecast for early next week, meaning drivers should be keep eye out. How many potholes develop depends in part on how much rain and snow falls.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. Add traffic, and that pavement can break away.

The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year, creating a challenge for ADOT maintenance crews in that region. They have stayed busy with pothole repairs since a weeklong series of storms swept across the state in early January.

But even in the state’s warmer regions, where freezing doesn’t occur as often, pothole repair comes with the territory after storms roll through. Given predictions of a wetter-than-normal winter, crews likely will face more bumps in the road.

“Our work doesn’t stop when the snowplows are put away,” said Brent Cain, the ADOT assistant director in charge of the Transportation Systems Management and Operations Division. “Our crews put in long hours to keep the pavement as smooth as possible. It’s a real challenge to keep up with Mother Nature and heavy traffic.”

When storms create potholes, highway workers make initial temporary repairs as soon as possible with patches made from a product called Universal Paving Material, which is heated, placed in the damaged area and tamped down.

More permanent repairs come after the pavement has had time to dry out. That work involves the use of a milling machine to remove a section of pavement around the pothole. In some cases the milled pavement is reused by placing it in an asphalt recycler machine that heats the material on site. A sticky oil is sprayed into the milled area being fixed before the recycled asphalt is placed on top. Crews finish the repair by using a heavy compaction roller to smooth out the pavement.

This type of work on Phoenix-area freeways almost always takes place at night, when there is less traffic. Along a busy freeway, ADOT’s goal is make repairs with most drivers never noticing the work taking place.

Drivers who want to pass along pothole locations on state highways can notify ADOT by visiting the agency’s website at azdot.gov and clicking on “Contact” in the upper right corner of the home page.

The annual cost of pothole and other pavement repairs depends on the severity of a winter season. ADOT usually plans on approximately 10 percent of its winter operations budget being spent on pothole repair.

Since Arizona has been experiencing drier conditions over many of the past 15 years, fixing potholes hasn’t been quite the same challenge. Depending on what Mother Nature and El Niño deliver in the coming months, that could change in 2016.