Arizona Dust Storm Safety: Pull Aside, Stay Alive to Avoid Car Accidents

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Arizona driving conditions can change quickly, especially when dust storms are in the forecast. Unfortunately, dust storms can occur with little warning and result in serious car accidents. Drivers need to use caution if they are caught in these sudden and blinding storms.

Tips for Avoiding Traffic Accidents in an Arizona Dust Storm

Dust storms can appear without much warning in Southern Arizona. Our Tucson car accident attorneys understand that they are very common along the dusty I-10 corridor that many people use when traveling between Tucson and Phoenix.

Each year, especially during monsoon season, there are several dust storm-related auto accidents along this stretch of Arizona interstate, some with fatal consequences. The possibility of blowing dust, high winds, and other conditions make driving during certain times of the year more dangerous. Wind gusts can reach 30 mph to 50 mph. Blowing dust can quickly result in limited or zero visibility for drivers.

Pull Aside, Stay Alive is a campaign by the Arizona Department of Transportation, in conjunction with several other agencies, to educate Arizona drivers on what to do in the event they encounter a dust storm. According to information provided by state and federal agencies, if you see a dust storm approaching, you should:

  • Immediately check the traffic around your vehicle.
  • Safely pull off the roadway as soon as possible. Waiting until visibility is poor can make it more difficult to locate a safe spot and pull over before you completely lose visibility. It is a good idea to note your location when you pull over in case you need to call for emergency assistance.
  • Do not stop in the emergency lane or a travel lane. You need to locate a safe spot to pull completely off the road to avoid being struck by another vehicle.
  • Turn off your vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers. Other drivers might attempt to use your lights as a guide and collide with your vehicle while misjudging the distance.
  • Take your foot off both pedals and set your emergency parking brake.
  • Remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt securely fastened until the storm passes.
  • Never drive into a dust storm. You will lose all visibility.
  • If you have a high-profile vehicle, you should always be aware of changing weather conditions, especially high winds, and adjust your speed accordingly.

Arizona DOT has several informative videos online that provide additional information and safety tips for avoiding dust storm-related car accidents. Drivers can visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information website or call 511 to find out about road closures and travel hazards statewide.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Dust Storm Accident?

Call 911 for emergency assistance. Let the operator know your location and whether you need emergency medical assistance.

If the accident occurred during a dust storm, another driver could be liable for your damages if that driver was negligent. For instance, if a driver did not pull over or was driving too fast for conditions, they could be liable for damages arising from an accident.

Contact a Tucson Car Accident Attorney for Help

As soon as possible, contact our office to discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer in Tucson. Call Hollingsworth Kelly today at (520) 882-8080 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

 

Distractions Put Teen Drivers at Risk for Car Accidents

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Receiving a driver’s license is a rite of passage many teenagers look forward to is. Having a driver’s license gives a teenager freedom and autonomy. But as exciting as this new-found independence can be, driving can quickly turn deadly for teenagers. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. More than 250,000 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 years were treated in emergency rooms in 2019 for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. That same year, 2,400 teens in the same age bracket died in car crashes.

Are Teenagers Dangerous Drivers?

Teenagers are not inherently dangerous drivers. However, their inexperience behind the wheel, combined with a higher tendency for risk-taking, immaturity, and easily distracted nature means that teens are at a higher risk of being involved in a car crash. Teen drivers are four times as likely to be involved in an accident compared to adult drivers. Their risk of being in a fatal collision is highest during the first six months after obtaining their driver’s license.

What Can Parents Do To Protect Teen Drivers?

Teen drivers can be easily distracted by texting, talking on a cell phone, grooming and having other teenagers in their vehicle. Often teenagers are not fully aware of the risks involved in distracted driving, nor how just a few seconds of distraction can have deadly consequences.

Many states, including Arizona, have a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program that allows young drivers to gradually transition into gaining full driving privileges. Instead of permitting a teen driver to have full driving privileges as soon as they receive a driver’s license, a GDL program incorporates driving restrictions to help teenagers gain experience behind the wheel before allowing them to drive freely.

For example, Arizona prohibits teens with a GDL from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first six months unless certain conditions are met. A teen driver with a GDL may generally not drive with more than one passenger under the age of 18. Teens and parents are responsible for knowing and following all restrictions associated with a GDL.

Parents may also want to enroll their child in additional private driver training beyond what is required to obtain an Arizona driving permit or graduated driver’s license. There are online resources for parents and teenagers that can be very useful in educating teens about the dangers of distracted driving and how to develop good driving habits that can protect them and others on the road. One program is the National Safety Council’s DriveitHome, which provides resources parents can use to help educate and protect their teen drivers.

Parents may also want to invest in new technology that can help prevent teen distracted driving. Some insurance companies have apps that monitor driving behaviors such as speed, turning too aggressively, and hard braking. Parents can also invest in technology that turns cell phones off when a teenager is driving.

Call a Tucson Car Accident Attorney for Help

Many insurance companies may automatically blame a teen driver for an accident without thoroughly investigating the cause of the crash. If your teenager was involved in an accident caused by another motorist, you need trusted legal advice from an experienced Tucson car accident attorney. Don’t let your teen driver be blamed for a crash that was not their fault. Call the legal team at Hollingsworth Kelly at (520) 882-8080 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

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No matter how carefully you ride your bike, a bicycle accident may inevitably happen. There are more bicyclists on the roads than ever before, and that means there is more potential for bicycle accidents. Since 2000, the number of people riding their bikes to work increased by 60%.

Many cities have taken action to increase safety for bicyclists, including developing designated bike lanes and providing public safety information. Many other cities have not taken these steps, however, and bicycle-related accidents continue to be a problem.

Cycling in the Old Pueblo

Last year Bicycling magazine compiled a list of the “Best Bike Cities in America;” Tucson ranked 24th out of 50 cities. The editors cited Tucson’s extensive network of off-street bike paths and Tucson’s Bicycle Boulevard Master Plan, which aims to develop 193 miles of bicycle boulevards in the city, as positives. They noted that Tucson’s high fatality rate for bicyclists (six deaths per 10,000 riders) prevented them from ranking the Old Pueblo higher.

In spite of Tucson’s commitment to making the streets safer for cyclists, Tucson has nearly the highest rate of accidents involving bicycles in the US. In 2017 Forbes magazine dubbed Tucson the second most dangerous city for riding a bicycle.

Both drivers and bicyclists should be aware of some of the most frequent causes of bicycle accidents. These include distracted driving (both driver and bicyclist), failure to yield to a bicycle, dangerous road conditions, and riding at night.

Bicycle Safety

May is National Bike Month, where cyclists celebrate the many benefits of bicycling. But first and foremost, safe cycling is the priority for young and old.

To help keep riders safe, Pima County offers bicycle safety classes that include Traffic Skills 101 and a bicycle mechanics class. Riders can also learn about the Pima County Bike Buddy Program that teams experienced riders with novice cyclists. The safety classes may include free bike safety items such as lights, helmets, and locks. 

The top bicycle safety tip promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association is to wear a helmet. Riders and parents with young children should also ensure that helmets fit properly, because an ill-fitting helmet may offer little to no protection in the event of a fall or a collision.

NHTSA’s bicycle safety initiatives provide the following tips for safe cycling:

Tips if You Get In a Bike Accident

Even if you’re careful, you may find yourself involved in a bicycle accident. If injured, you should know what to do in the aftermath. Consumer Reports provides some tips to help you know what to do in the event of a crash.

  • Move off the road and assess your injuries. The shock of the crash may mask what you feel at the scene; injuries may reveal themselves once the shock wears off.
  • Either you or someone at the scene (if you are unable to do so) should get information from the driver of the vehicle, including their phone number, information about their car, license plate, and insurance information.
  • It is a good idea to take a picture of the license plate and the driver’s insurance card. Also, get names and contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
  • Call 911 to report the crash. If you are injured, the police should come to the scene and prepare an incident report. Ask the driver to stay at the scene until the police arrive.
  • At this point you may not know the extent of your injuries and damages, so avoid accepting any offers of compensation from the driver.
  • Make sure you write down the details of the crash for yourself so you can remember exactly what happened.
  • Depending on your injuries you may not need to be transported by ambulance, but it is important to get yourself checked as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel injured at the moment, it is always a good idea to get medical attention.
  • Likewise, get your bike inspected to make sure there isn’t any hidden damage that could crop up later.
  • Talk to an attorney before making any statement to the insurance company, especially if you’re injured.
  • Finally, read more tips to keep safe when riding a bicycle.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, consult the experienced bicycle injury attorneys at Hollingsworth Kelly.

Pedestrian Accidents Increase in Arizona

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Pedestrian accidents causing serious injury or death have seen a dramatic increase in Arizona. In Tucson, a 17-year-old Cholla High School student walking to school last month was tragically killed by a speeding motorist as she tried to cross a busy westside street. In January, two pedestrians were killed while attempting to cross local streets. One was a man who was struck by an SUV as he crossed an eastside street. The other was a young man who was celebrating his birthday just after the new year and was hit by a truck as he crossed a dark road on the northwest side of town.

When a pedestrian is killed it is a devastating loss for the victim’s loved ones and friends, but it’s also tragic for the at-fault motorist who will have to live the rest of his life knowing he was responsible for someone’s death.

According to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, fatalities in Arizona increased more than 40 percent in a four-year period, with 228 pedestrian fatalities in 2017 compared with 160 in 2013.

The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report last year showing pedestrian deaths at levels not seen in decades. Arizona was one of four states that experienced almost half of all pedestrian deaths, and was ranked first in the nation in pedestrian fatalities. In Tucson there were 28 pedestrian deaths in 2018, up from 24 in 2017 and 12 in 2016.

Factors Contributing to Pedestrian Accidents

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with local and national officials to determine the causes of the increase in pedestrian traffic deaths and to create awareness across the state about precautions both motorists and pedestrians should take when on the road.

Several factors have been identified as contributing to the increase in pedestrian accidents. A major one is distracted driving, particularly with the rise of cell phone use. Drivers who are paying attention to their cell phones aren’t paying enough attention to the road, or to pedestrians crossing in front of them.

We know that distracted driving is dangerous, but so is distracted walking. Texting, talking on your phone, checking e-mail, and playing games on a cell phone are dangerous distractions that pedestrians may not realize put them in danger, especially when attempting to cross a street.

The rise in pedestrian deaths has also coincided with the popularity of SUVs. Their larger size, heavier weight, and higher clearance makes it more likely that hitting a pedestrian will have deadly consequences.


Pedestrians not crossing at an intersection, wearing dark clothes at night, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts them at increased risk of being hit by a car.

For drivers, speeding, being impaired by drugs or alcohol, making a right or left turn without checking for pedestrians, and not respecting crosswalks are preventable behaviors that can reduce pedestrian deaths.

Pedestrian Safety in Tucson

Tucson city officials have been working to make local streets safer for pedestrians. Tucson installed High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals to help citizens cross streets more safely. A pedestrian who wants to cross a street activates the signal, which changes from yellow to red to alert traffic to stop.

Tucson installed the first HAWK signal in 2000. Since then, they have been 90 percent effective in making drivers aware of pedestrians preparing to cross a roadway. Currently Tucson has more than 100 HAWK signals, and the city recently received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to install six more.

Avoiding Pedestrian Traffic Accidents

Both drivers and pedestrians can take steps to prevent pedestrian accidents. Drivers in Arizona must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, whether they are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.  All intersections on public roads have crosswalks. If they are not marked, they are designated by an “imaginary” line where the sidewalk or edge of the roadway crosses the street.

Drivers are also required by law to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian. Here are tips to help motorists share the road safely with pedestrians:

  • Use your turn signal to let pedestrians know when you are changing lanes or turning at an intersection.
  • Be aware of pedestrians near the roadway; be particularly aware of the presence of children or anyone who seems incapacitated or confused as they may suddenly dart in front of traffic.
  • Make sure you slow down when pedestrians are nearby, as the chances of serious injury or death increase with speed. While a pedestrian hit at 20 mph has a chance of survival of 95 percent, those odds decrease to 16 percent at 40 mph. 
  • It is against the law to pass a school bus with flashing lights and an extended stop sign, so you must always stop. Even if the lights are not flashing, watch out for children around the bus, who may dart into traffic without notice.
  • Pay attention to the road when driving. Don’t be distracted by activities such as checking a cell phone or texting while driving. 

Pedestrians should also exercise caution when walking along a roadway or crossing a street. When crossing a road anywhere other than at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, a pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. The following tips will help you stay safe when walking on or near a roadway:

  • Always make sure that you can see traffic.
  • If crossing a street or roadway, try to cross at a location that gives you the best view of traffic and where drivers can best see you.
  • Don’t assume that drivers will always stop, even if you are at a crosswalk. Make sure everyone is stopped before you step onto the road. Be particularly aware of turning vehicles, as they may be looking at oncoming traffic and may not see you.
  • Make sure you are visible. Walk toward traffic and wear bright or reflective clothes at night.
  • When walking in a rural area, walk as far off the roadway as possible.
  • Stay alert when crossing a street. Don’t use headphones, cell phones or anything that may distract you from safely crossing the street.

Being alert on the road, both as drivers and pedestrians, can save lives.

Driving and Cell Phones Are a Deadly Combination

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Injuries and deaths due to distracted driving—primarily from the use of cell phones—are increasing. Driving and cell phones are a deadly combination.

A study of driving and cell phone use in 2017 found that almost 90 percent of drivers reported using their cell phones while operating a vehicle. The study also found that drivers spent more than three minutes per hour on their phones, a distraction that significantly increased their chances of having a car accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that distracted driving caused 391,000 injuries from motor vehicle accidents in 2015, and 3,450 deaths in 2016. Of these fatal crashes, 14 percent involved the use of a cell phone.

Cell phone use is often under-reported in accident statistics, however. NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System Encyclopedia tracks the causes of motor vehicle accidents. Their information relies on drivers or accident witnesses reporting cell phone use. According to a report from the National Safety Council, “Crashes Involving Cell Phones: Challenges of Collecting and Reporting Reliable Crash Data,” police may not report cell phone use if another violation contributed to the accident. For example, the police report may say that the driver failed to stay in the proper lane, but they may not report that it was due to cell phone use. It may be years before we know the true picture of how many injuries and deaths are caused by distracted drivers, particularly those involving cell phones.

Anything that takes a driver’s eyes or attention off the road is potentially an accident waiting to happen. As a result, many cities and states have passed laws to ban texting and driving.

Tucson ban on cellphones and driving

The Tucson City Council voted last year to regulate the use of cell phones and portable electronic devices while driving. The Council passed a hands-free ordinance making the use of handheld electronic devices while driving a primary offense, which means that police officers can pull over drivers they see or suspect are using a cellphone. The mere fact that a driver is holding a cell phone in his or her hand is an infraction.

A previous law stated that drivers could only be cited for cell phone use if the officer had pulled them over for another reason. A similar law has been in effect in Pima County since 2017.

The change is designed to prevent distractions from texting and using phones for other purposes, such as social media, while operating a vehicle. Under the new law, drivers are permitted to use a hands-free device. Drivers cannot use a device that is not hands-free while driving or while stopped on a street or highway (such as at a stop light or sign).

Ticketing for this offense started in late March. A first-time violator can be fined $50, although if there is an accident the fine will be a minimum of $250.

Arizona—only one of 3 states with no texting ban

Arizona is currently one of only three states that does not have a law that bans texting while driving. In 2016, AT&T analyzed data from a campaign called It Can Wait and found that texting bans are working—states with texting bans have far lower rates of texting while driving. This means fewer drivers in the 47 states that ban texting and driving are putting themselves or others at risk for accidental injury or death.

Last year the Arizona Senate considered a law to ban texting while driving. Although the bill that was put forward by committee was not passed, in July Governor Doug Ducey signed into law a bill that prohibits teenagers from texting while driving when they have a learner’s permit, and within the first six months of getting their driver’s license.

Reduce your risk from distracted driving

You can’t control what others do, but you can reduce your chances of injury from an accident by not using your cell phone at all when you’re driving. According to the National Safety Council, drivers having a phone conversation may miss up to 50 percent of what’s going on around them even when using a hands-free device. Texting is even more of a distraction. A driver’s eyes will be off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds while texting, which at 55 mph means the car can travel the length of a football field without the driver paying attention.

If you are walking or bicycling, it is just as important that you stay focused on your surroundings rather than your electronic device.

Remember also to use your seat belt to reduce your risk if you are involved in an accident.

Wrong-Way Crashes Cause Serious Injury and Death

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Each year an average of 360 people nationwide are killed in wrong-way crashes, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The report states that although collisions involving wrong-way drivers only account for about three percent of accidents, wrong-way crashes cause serious injury and death because these are usually head-on crashes.

Several decades of research shows that wrong-way crashes have higher rates of fatalities than other types of accidents. In addition, data from 2004 to 2009 showed that 60 percent of fatal wrong-way crashes likely involved impairment by alcohol.

In Arizona, the number of cases of drivers going the wrong way increased more than eight percent between 2016 and 2017, with over 1,700 reported wrong-way incidents in 2017. That year, wrong way drivers caused 54 accidents, with 18 fatalities.

Arizona Takes Action Against Wrong-Way Driving

The state has been taking measures to reduce wrong-way driving. In the fall of 2017, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) installed a thermal detection system in Phoenix.

The system uses cameras at exit ramps and along the interstate. When a camera spots a vehicle traveling the wrong way, it sends an alert to ADOT, which then sends messages to highway alert boards to warn drivers of the danger. If the system detects a wrong-way driver at an off-ramp, it activates a flashing red sign to alert the wrong-way driver.

In any case, the system also notifies law enforcement, who can then travel to the scene. As of mid-June, this technology had detected more than 12 wrong-way drivers.

The state has also installed hundreds of larger “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs throughout Arizona.

As part of Arizona’s effort to address the wrong-way driving problem, Governor Doug Ducey signed a law last year that imposes tougher penalties for motorists caught driving the wrong way. Wrong-way drivers in Arizona who are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will now face felony charges, including a possible four months to 2½ years in prison. Anyone stopped for wrong-way driving will be fined $500 and will be required to attend traffic school.

“Drive Aware Get There” Safety Campaign

ADOT’S Drive Aware Get There safety campaign was launched to reduce wrong-way driving and help motorists learn what can they can do to protect themselves from a wrong-way driver.

Because research shows most wrong-way drivers are impaired, driving defensively is key to preventing a tragic encounter. Motorists are advised to avoid distractions while driving and to focus on their surroundings, including what is far ahead on the road, giving them a chance to spot any erratic driving and take action before it becomes an issue.

ADOT advises that if you are on a two-lane road, stay away from the center line to accommodate oncoming cars that may be closer to the center line. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, get to the side of the road and call 911. If you are on a highway, try to stay in the right lane, as wrong-way drivers are more likely to be in the far left lane or in the carpool lane.

If you see that a wrong-way driver is coming towards you, ADOT recommends you slow by easing your foot off the gas and try to steer away from the wrong-way driver. Again, if you can, get off the road and call 911.

Of all vehicle accidents, head-on collisions have the greatest potential to cause serious injuries and fatalities. Although Arizona is taking steps to reduce the chances of wrong-way driving, you can do your part to keep yourself and others safe by being alert, wearing your seat belt, not driving while impaired, and avoiding distractions while driving.