US /

Arizona Saving You From Dust Storms —With Haiku

Public safety campaign leans on poetry
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 14, 2012 3:50 PM CDT
Arizona Saving You From Dust Storms —With Haiku
A brown cloud of dust blows through downtown Phoenix, engulfing the Arizona State Fair, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona transportation officials are getting the message out about dust storm safety—in precisely 17 syllables. The Arizona Department of Transportation is encouraging Twitter users to tweet haikus around the theme of safe driving in haboobs, the severe dust storms that hit Phoenix in the summer. An example, from Phoenix resident Mindy Lee, who goes by the Twitter handle mindyblee: "Haboobs blow through town / In one instant it is dark / Pull over and wait."

A Transportation spokesman says the agency was looking for a creative way to engage residents in its "Pull Aside Stay Alive" campaign. So far it has seen more than 30 entries and are re-tweeting some of the best ones. The haiku challenge runs through tomorrow. Tweeters are asked to include the hashtag #HaboobHaiku. (More haiku stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X