Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Kristin
Imagine this: You’re driving through the desert on a sunny day, and suddenly the sky goes dark. Huge dust clouds engulf your vehicle, with intense winds swirling up particles everywhere you look. The normal flow of traffic soon turns into complete chaos. While this scenario may sound like it was ripped from a dystopian film, these dust storms are a reality during the summer in states including Arizona, Kansas and Texas. Because these weather events are intense and hard to predict, many drivers are often caught off guard when they encounter one. It’s smart to have a plan if you’re driving in a dust storm.
These dust storms, sometimes called haboobs, often appear during the spring or summer months. In Arizona, these storms typically occur during the monsoon season between mid-June through September. Dust storm-related traffic events have caused hundreds of deaths in the past decade.
While dust storms can be scary, being prepared can help you navigate the situation. To help drivers understand what to do during a dust storm, The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) uses the slogan “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” to help drivers remember what to do if they ever find themselves in one of these storms.
Here’s what to do if you ever find yourself driving in a dust storm.
Don’t drive into the dust storm.
Many times it’s not possible to predict a dust storm in advance. But if you do see one on the horizon, stay away from it. Don’t try to drive through a dust storm if you can avoid it — stay clear and wait for it to pass.
Reduce your speed.
If dust starts limiting the visibility in front of you while you’re driving, start to reduce your speed while being mindful of any vehicles behind you, in front of you and next to you.
Pull over.
One of the most important things you can do in a dust storm is pull over and get off the highway as soon as you can do so safely, hence the phrase “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.” ADOT advises drivers to not just pull into the travel lane, but to exit the highway completely if possible. Do not stop in the middle of traffic, as this may cause a collision with other vehicles.
Turn off lights after exiting traffic.
While it may seem counterintuitive, highway authorities encourage drivers to turn off their lights as soon as they pull off of the road. Turning off the lights helps avoid collisions with other drivers who may try to follow you and not realize you are stopping on the side of the road.
Engage the emergency brake.
After pulling off of the road, make sure to activate the emergency brake and take your foot off of the regular brake.
Stay seatbelted.
Stay in the car with your seatbelt on until the storm passes, ADOT advises. Avoid leaving the car until the visibility returns to normal and the winds die down. In Arizona, these storms can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.
Call for help if needed.
If you’re driving in a dust storm and need help, call 911. If the car is damaged or you were in an accident, file a police report and then contact roadside assistance and wait for next steps.
While sudden dust storms can be stressful, taking precautions to slow down, pull over, turn off lights and activate the emergency brake can help you stay safe in your rental car during one of these weather events.
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