If you’ve traveled between Casa Grande and the Valley, you should have noticed a new sign on the highway announcing the SAFETY CORRIDOR and ZERO TOLERANCE. This means there will be strict enforcement of laws, including exact speed limits, with zero tolerance for violations. As of mid-December, the speed limit on Interstate 10 between State Route 187 just north of Casa Grande and the Loop 202 will be enforced. This 23-mile corridor is part of phase one of a pilot program, funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Safety corridors are highway segments that have more crashes, injuries and deaths than would ordinarily be expected. By the end of January 2017, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will have implemented four safety corridors in Arizona, aiming to reduce crashes, severe injuries and traffic fatalities. As drivers traveling between Casa Grande and the Valley will attest, at least one or more major accidents happen in the stretch of highway each weekend.
“These segments were selected because they have higher-than-average instances of speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving and lack of seat belt use,” said Brent Cain, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Systems Management and Operations Division. “Those are the leading factors in traffic deaths, and decreasing their occurrence makes the roads safer for everyone.”
Motorists will see new signs signaling they are entering and leaving a Safety Corridor, as well as signs that alert drivers that there will be zero tolerance for violations in a corridor.
“The safety corridors will make traveling safer for everyone,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “If you already obey driving laws, you have nothing to worry about and can enjoy safer travel. If you speed, drive aggressively or break other driving laws, you will face the consequences of zero tolerance enforcement.”
DPS state troopers are going to look for aggressive drivers, speeders and other traffic law violators. This means that traveling 74mph in a 65mph zone will result in a ticket. Seat belt violations will also be enforced as part of other enforcement actions.
“There will be strict enforcement of driving laws with zero tolerance for violations,” said DPS Lt. Col. Daniel Lugo. “If drivers obey the speed limit and other laws, there will be fewer crashes.”
Safety Corridor segments were selected by reviewing historic crash data related to driver behavior and input from law enforcement. This is a pilot program that will remain in place for at least one to two years. After that, the partner agencies will review their effectiveness and consider whether to add safety corridors.
