Category Archives: Phoenix

ADOT alerts trucking companies to possible scam by individual impersonating police officer

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PHOENIX – Trucking companies should be on alert for an individual impersonating an Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officer.

Earlier this month, a man identifying himself as an officer with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division contacted a Mesa-based trucking company saying one of its trucks was damaged in a crash and that the company needed to send payment for a mechanic called out to make repairs.

Inconsistencies in the suspect’s story led the company’s operations manager to suspect a scam.

Trucking companies should be aware of the following if contacted by someone identifying himself or herself as an ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division officer:

  • While ADOT officers assist state troopers and local police agencies with commercial vehicle safety inspections, they don’t investigate crashes or typical traffic incidents.
  • ADOT officers will assist drivers who have been involved in crashes or have mechanical problems but will never unilaterally call mechanics and hold trucks until payment is made.
  • ADOT officers may call for heavy-duty tow trucks, but this would be discussed beforehand with the trucking company.
  • An ADOT officer will give a trucking company his or her name, badge number, location and contact information. The officer will also provide the truck number and driver’s name. Typically, the officer will have the driver speak with his or her company.

If a trucking company has suspicions, the owner or manager can call the ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division dispatch center at 602.712.8396.

Prepare for next storm, traffic if heading to play in the snow Sunday

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PHOENIX ‒ Planning a trip to play in the snow Sunday? Leave prepared for heavy traffic around popular snow-play sites and the potential for more winter weather to arrive as early as Sunday afternoon.

Highway conditions can deteriorate quickly during severe weather as snow accumulates and drivers struggle, and closures can happen suddenly and be prolonged.

Your trip preparations should begin with packing a fully charged cellphone, drinking water, and winter coats, warm blankets or both. Among other winter driving tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, you should take: healthy snacks; gloves, scarves, caps and extra socks; necessary medications; an ice scraper; a flashlight with extra batteries; a small folding shovel for snow removal; and a small bag of sand or cat litter for wheel traction.

Plan your route and let someone know where you are going.

If you plan to visit snow-play areas along US 180 near Flagstaff, prepare to spend extended time in winter weather – and to face heavy traffic and delays getting back to Flagstaff that increase as the day goes on. The Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau lists the locations of all Flagstaff-area snow-play locations at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Snowplay link) and offers a hotline at 844-256-SNOW with the latest snow conditions.

If you’re heading south from US 180 at day’s end, you can save time getting to Interstate 17 once you reach Flagstaff by taking a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Drive and Route 66, then heading west to I-17.

Wherever you go, don’t park along highways or interstates or on freeway interchange ramps to play in the snow (the photo above shows vehicles parked on a ramp at the Interstate 17/Stoneman Lake Road interchange). That’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders. It exacerbates traffic congestion and makes it more difficult for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows to clear snow and ice. Park in designated areas away from highways.

The latest National Weather Service forecast for Arizona’s high country says the next winter storm is expected to enter the region as early as Sunday afternoon. It has the potential to produce significant snow and rain by late Sunday, though the exact timing remains uncertain.

Even if it isn’t snowing on your trip uphill, drive for conditions, slow down and avoid accelerating suddenly. Melting snow can turn into ice overnight, particularly around bridges. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead to avoid sudden braking.

Give snowplows a wide berth, staying at least four car lengths behind. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road. Remember: The safest place on the road when it’s snowing is behind a plow.

ADOT’s Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT) accounts are excellent sources of information on traffic conditions, as is the ADOT Traveler Information site available at az511.gov or by calling 511.

Respect the plow! Help ADOT help you by giving snowplows space

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PHOENIX ‒ With the worst of back-to-back winter storms yet to come, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplow operators are working 12-hour shifts to keep highways open.

In some cases, other drivers are making that difficult job even tougher.

On Thursday afternoon, an SUV struck a snowplow working on State Route 89A between Prescott Valley and Jerome (shown in the photo). Everyone was OK – though the SUV was severely damaged – but ADOT lost precious time clearing that route.

Meanwhile, snowplow drivers are encountering difficulty clearing Ash Fork Hill on eastbound Interstate 40 because large trucks aren’t, as signs instruct them, staying in the right lanes.

ADOT’s 400 certified snowplow drivers, operating the agency’s nearly 200 snowplows, need room to work. Give them space, starting with staying at least four vehicle lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the driver pulls over to let traffic pass.

Here are other tips straight from ADOT’s snowplow drivers:

· To avoid interfering with snowplows, drivers of large trucks need to heed signs on steep uphill grades telling them to stay in the right lane or right lanes.
· Never assume a snowplow operator knows you are nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there is a good chance the driver can’t see you.
· Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw de-icing agents or sand that can damage vehicles, so stay back.
· Leave space when stopping behind a snowplow. The driver might need to back up.
· If approaching an oncoming snowplow, slow down and give the plow extra room.
· Just because a plow has been through the area, drivers shouldn’t assume the roadway is completely clear of snow and ice.
· Nighttime plowing is far more difficult than daytime plowing, so use extra caution around snowplows after dark.

For more tips on respecting the plow and other winter-driving essentials, visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Red Cross opens shelter in Pine AZ as a result of the winter storm and power outages.

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PHOENIX – The American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter has opened a shelter at the Pine Community Center located at 3916 N. Highway 87 Pine AZ 85544 to assist those who have been displaced by the storm or are affected by power outages in the area.

In advance of the storm, the Red Cross of Greater Phoenix prepositioned a team to Pine on Thursday. Power outages in the area have triggered the opening of the warming center/shelter.

The Red Cross would like to remind everyone to avoid the use of improvised heating sources during power cold weather power outages. Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

ADEQ Waste Programs Division Workshops

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Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Waste Programs Division staff invite interested community members and business and government personnel to participate in our free February 2017 Waste and Water webinar workshop series.

Topics will include solid and hazardous waste regulations, Arizona’s Pollution Prevention program and underground storage tanks programs.

Click for more details and to Register for these FREE
ADEQ Workshop Webinars  >

Feb. 7, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Solid Waste Overview

Feb. 14, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting

Feb. 15, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting

Feb. 16, 2017  | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting

Feb. 21, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Pollution Prevention

Feb. 28, 2017  | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Underground Storage Tanks

Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information about requirements and best practices and earn Professional Development Hours.

Arizona deer, elk clear of Chronic Wasting Disease

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has announced that Arizona continues to be clear of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk.

Department officials did not find any cases of CWD in the 750-plus deer (mule and white-tailed) and elk that were harvested by hunters and voluntarily submitted for testing in 2016. Game and Fish has been testing for the presence of the disease in Arizona since 1998. While CWD has been found in the neighboring states of Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, the disease has not been detected in Arizona.

The department is grateful for the assistance of hunters who submit deer and elk heads for testing, as well as the cooperation of local taxidermists and game processors. Heads can be brought to any Game and Fish office statewide between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information about CWD, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/research_cwd.shtml.

No services available for part of Wednesday, January 18, at I-10 Burnt Well Rest Area

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PHOENIX – Restrooms, drinking fountains and vending machines won’t be available at the Interstate 10 Burnt Well Rest Area west of Phoenix from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, due to utility work in the area.

Motorists will still be able to stop at the rest area, which has locations in both directions at milepost 86 near Tonopah, while the power is out and services aren’t available.

Other ADOT rest areas along I-10 between Phoenix and the California state line are Bouse Wash at milepost 53 and Ehrenberg at milepost 4.7.

Need a driver license? More Authorized Third Party offices now do that

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PHOENIX – One of the most common Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division transactions just got a bit easier with the addition of more Authorized Third Party providers permitted to offer driver license services including road testing, written testing and photos.

There are now 22 third-party providers, operating at 33 locations, authorized to offer these transactions. To do so, they must meet stringent qualifications set by MVD.

These services are provided at all MVD offices and require an in-person visit. Customers looking for convenience may wish to consider an Authorized Third Party.

“Partnering with Authorized Third Party providers is a very successful example of government and the private sector cooperating to offer outstanding customer service,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “These offices are a convenient and popular supplement to MVD locations. Having more of them offering driver licenses is another great example of MVD getting people out of line and safely on the road.”

All Authorized Third Party providers must follow MVD guidelines and are monitored for compliance. Operators that offer driver license services have additional requirements, including having been a third-party provider for at least three years, conducting at least 1,000 transactions per month for one year, having an appropriate facility and meeting certain financial requirements.

With several more Authorized Third Party locations expected to open before the end of the year, information about which offices provide driver license services can be found at ServiceArizona.com or azdot.gov/mvd.

Online applications for 2017 pronghorn, elk hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department now is accepting online applications for 2017 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn antelope and elk.

To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov and scroll down to “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the online application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 10 of the “2017 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet (PDF). Printed booklets also are available at all Game and Fish offices and license dealers (PDF) statewide.

Paper applications can be mailed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052, or dropped off at any regional office statewide.

All applications – online or paper – must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. Postmarks do not count.

In a major change from last year, online applicants must keep their credit card payment information current. If payment is declined at the time of the draw, the application will not be drawn. The department no longer will attempt to reach applicants by telephone to obtain payment on drawn applications where credit cards have failed.

This also marks the first time pronghorn and elk hunters will be able to purchase PointGuard as part of their online application. An innovative new program, PointGuard provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. Information: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.

In the meantime, the department is encouraging all applicants to sign up for a free AZGFD Customer Portal account. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their contact information, as well as their license and draw results information and bonus points, in their personal “My AZ Outdoors” section. A portal account also provides convenient access to the online license purchase and draw application systems.

It’s easy to create an account. Just click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Create an Account” option, filling in the requested information. A portal account is mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

Finally, did you know the department’s online services are available 24/7? >From creating that AZGFD Customer Portal account and purchasing a valid hunting license, to getting the latest wildlife news and applying online for the draw, visit www.azgfd.gov anytime for all of your outdoor needs. Save time, buy online!

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Prepare for traffic, do your research if heading to play in the snow

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PHOENIX – With light snow in the forecast heading into a long weekend, winter recreation areas along US 180 near Flagstaff are likely to attract heavy traffic that leads to delays.

Those planning to visit snow-play areas along US 180 over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend should leave prepared to spend extended time in winter weather – and to face traffic backlogs getting back to Flagstaff that increase as the day goes on.

They also should prepare for the trip by researching the locations of snow-play areas and whether those areas have enough snow to be open. The Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau lists snow-play locations at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Snowplay link) and offers a hotline at 844-256-SNOW with the latest snow conditions.

Don’t park along highways or interstates to play in the snow. That’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders. It also can exacerbate traffic congestion on US 180.

Once they get to Flagstaff on their trips home, those heading to points south at day’s end can save time getting to Interstate 17 by taking a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Drive and Route 66, then heading west to I-17.

Motorists traveling to Arizona’s high country should allow extra travel time with snow in the forecast and prepare as they would for any extended period in cold weather. That includes taking winter coats, blankets, a fully charged cellphone and portable charger, plenty of fuel, drinking water, snacks and medications. ADOT offers more tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Give snowplows a wide berth, staying four car lengths behind. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road.