A dust storm hovers over Queen Creek, Ariz. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX (AP) - 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 safe driving in haboobs - 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."
Transportation department spokesman Timothy Tait says the agency was looking for a creative way to engage residents in its "Pull Aside Stay Alive" campaign.
So far they've seen more than 30 entries and are re-tweeting some of the best ones.
Some examples are "Haboobs will blind you / They will take you by surprise / In doubt? Don't go out" and "The haboob hubbub/ The word glorifies dust walls/ Just keep yourself safe."
The haiku challenge runs through Friday. Tweeters are asked to include the hashtag (hash)HaboobHaiku.