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PHOENIX – You know not to drive into the towering wall of dust.
And if a dust channel whips across a highway and engulfs your vehicle, the
mantra “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” can lead you to safety.
But even after you’ve pulled aside, one of the most important
actions must still be taken – turn off your lights!
Turn off headlights, emergency flashers, dome lights and take your
foot off the brake. Stay buckled up, set the parking brake, go dark and wait
for the dust storm to pass.
Here’s why: If you become caught in a dust storm and have pulled
off the highway, you’re in a dangerous spot – less dangerous than driving blind
on the road, though – and want to hide. You can do that by turning off all
vehicle lights. If you leave lights on, drivers behind you might believe you’ve
found the way out and follow, crashing into your parked car because
low-visibility affects depth perception.
The Arizona Department of Transportation has produced 30-second
public service announcements – in English and Spanish – on this topic that will
air statewide on television and radio throughout monsoon season as part of
ADOT’s partnership with the Arizona Broadcasters Association. The PSAs can be
viewed on ADOT’s YouTube channel.
As Monsoon Awareness Week begins and we near the official start of
monsoon season, ADOT wants to remind drivers of the No. 1 dust-storm driving
tip: Do not drive into a dust storm.
“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.”
Towering, dense, blowing dust can drop visibility to zero. Just as
dangerous are the small dust channels that whip across roadways in an instant,
affording drivers little or no opportunity to avoid them. In such events, ADOT
has developed the following “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” dust storm safety driving
tips, which can help travelers survive a storm.
- Avoid
driving into or through a dust storm.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.
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.
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