Driving safety tips and resources from the Arizona Department of Transportation at FocusOnDriving.com keep motorists prepared on Arizona’s roads.

Dust Storms

How to survive a dust storm? 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive'

In Arizona, dust storms most frequently occur during monsoon season (June-September) but they can pop up at any time of the year. If you're in a vehicle and a dust storm is approaching, the most important thing to do is to not drive into the dust storm. That's because visibility can drop to zero, leaving you and others driving blind and making for a dangerous situation.

If you encounter a dust storm and don't have time to exit the highway, ADOT has developed these "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" tips:

  • 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, including your emergency flashers. 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 seatbelts 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.

sky over roadway

Pull Aside, Stay Alive

low visibility from dust storm

Visibility can drop to zero in a dust storm.

¿En dónde estarás cuando pase la tormenta de polvo?

view of dust storm under overpass

Qué hacer si de repente te encuentras en medio de una tormenta de polvo.