It's an imposing sight; your driving along a Valley road and suddenly notice a towering wall of dust barreling towards you. Unfortunately for drivers around the Phoenix area, this is a common situation during the monsoon.
Anyone who's experienced a dust storm in person knows how dangerous and disorienting it can be. So with Monsoon 2018 arriving June 15, ADOT offers helpful tips for drivers as a part of its “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign.
Here's what the organization wants you to know before you hit the road:
· If you encounter a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
· Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway – do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
· Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
· Turn off all vehicle lights. You do not want other vehicles approaching from behind to use your lights as a guide, possibly crashing into your parked vehicle.
· Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
· Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
· Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
ADOT also says if you can, avoid driving during monsoon storms all together. But if you find yourself in a dust storm, one of the most important actions you can take is to turn off your lights.
“Road trips are a great way to get out and experience all that Arizona has to offer,” Governor Doug Ducey said. “If there’s a dust storm in your path, it’s time to take a break from driving. Make the safe and smart decision to delay your travel plans and wait for the storm to pass.”
More information on dust storm safety can be found at PullAsideStayAlive.org and safety tips for driving in rainstorms can be found at azdot.gov/monsoon.