National Weather Service Recognized ADOT For Driver Safety

Arizona Department of Transportation was recognized by the National Weather Service for "innovations designed to improve driver safety and awareness during bad weather conditions."

ADOT was cited by the NWS as "Weather Ready National Ambassador of Excellence."

Arizona's climate ranges from low desert to Alpine extremes which encourages the NWS to work with ADOT in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff to continuously monitor changes in weather activity. These weather events include extreme heat, winter storms, and monsoons which lead to flash flooding, wildfires, and deadly lightning.

Because central Arizona has many dust storms, ADOT installed an X-band radar dust detection system in 2019 on parts of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson. They also installed speed limit signs that will adjust in poor weather conditions.

ADOT also implemented the "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" and the "Know Snow" initiatives for driver safety.

Acting Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jaret Rogers stated, "Weather conditions in Arizona can bring extreme heat, blinding dust storms, flash flooding, thunderstorms, snow, ice, and many other conditions that challenge drivers. Our partnership is vital for making roadways as safe as possible during adverse weather conditions and ADOT has promoted innovative safety measures and awareness campaigns. This has earned ADOT the distinction of being known as a National Weather Service Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence."

Photo Credit: Getty