Dust storms on the road, and how to pull aside

A dust storm usually arrives without much warning, as a wall of dust and debris that can be miles long and several thousand feet high. Blinding dust cuts visibility fast and can set off chain-reaction pileups. They happen anywhere in the country but most often in the Southwest, where thunderstorm winds push up the dust walls called haboobs. Your local National Weather Service office issues a Dust Storm Warning when one is happening in your area.

What you need

• Weather alerts turned on for your phone
• To know where the car's light switches are, including the hazard flashers

Steps

1. 1

   Stay out of it if you can

   If you see dense dust blowing across the road or coming toward it, don't drive into it.

   1 min

2. 2

   Pull off the pavement as far as you can

   Check the traffic around you, slow down and get the car completely off the road. Never stop in a lane of traffic.

   1 min

3. 3

   Turn off every light

   All of them, hazard flashers included. Drivers coming up behind follow the lights ahead in low visibility. When a parked car leaves them on, they can drive off the road after it and hit it.

   1 min

4. 4

   Set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake pedal

   With your foot off the pedal, the brake lights stay dark.

   1 min

5. 5

   Wait for the dust to clear

   Most dust storms pass in a few minutes, though some last for hours.

   5 min

Advisories and warnings

A Dust Advisory means blowing dust is happening or about to, and can cut visibility at times, so delay or reroute the trip. A Dust Storm Warning means a dangerous dust storm is happening or about to, with visibility near zero, so stay off the road. Blowing Dust Advisories and Warnings mean the same, for dust that's spread wide and lasts longer, sometimes for hours.

If you can't get off the road

Drive at a speed that suits what you can see, with your lights on, and sound the horn now and then. Use the painted center line to stay in your lane, and look for a safe place to pull off. Never stop in a lane of traffic.