Driving through Arizona during monsoon season can turn dangerous in a matter of seconds. One moment the road is clear, and the next you’re staring into a massive wall of dust rolling toward you. These storms, known as haboobs, can stretch for miles and leave drivers with zero visibility. Every year, accidents pile up on highways like I-10 and Loop 202 during these storms. Knowing what to do in that moment isn’t just about safety, but can be the difference between getting home safely and being involved in a crash.
TL;DR: Dust Storm Safety in Arizona
- If you see a dust storm approaching, avoid driving into it.
- If caught inside, pull completely off the road, turn off all lights, set your parking brake, and keep your seatbelt on.
- Stay inside your vehicle until visibility improves.
- Arizona law requires safe driving at all times under A.R.S. §28-701(A), which includes adjusting for weather. If you keep driving recklessly in a dust storm, you could be held liable for a crash.
Pull Aside, Stay Alive – Dust Storm Safety
Arizona drivers will likely encounter a dust storm during the monsoon months of mid-June and the end of September. Understanding what to do when caught off guard by a dust storm can save you from experiencing a deadly accident. The Arizona Department of Transportation developed a list of tips to inform drivers on how to handle a haboob. The list is called “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” and is part of the dust-related hazard awareness campaign.
There are the following safety precautions to take if a dust storm appears:
- Check the traffic on the road you are currently on before moving off for safety.
- Safely pull to the side of the road and try to get off the roadway completely. If you’re on the highway, try to completely exit the highway as this will be safer.
- Do not stop in travel or emergency lanes. Be sure to turn off the paved portion of the road is safer to avoid getting into an accident. This means going completely off the paved road and into the dirt or grass on the right side of the road.
- When you pull completely off the road safely, you should turn off all vehicle lights to avoid vehicles approaching your car.
- Put on your emergency break after you turn off your car and wait for the storm to pass.
- DO NOT unbuckle your seatbelt even if you did pull off the roadway.
The dust storms that occur during the monsoon months are very dense and can be massive in height and span miles in the distance. The poor visibility makes it difficult for drivers to continue driving through Arizona dust storms, comparatively worse than normal rainstorms. Be sure to teach your teen drivers these precautions.
Of course, not every dust event looks the same. Let’s look at the different types of dust-related hazards Arizona roads face.
Different Types of Dust-Related Hazards in Arizona
There are two common types of dust-related hazards that Arizona drivers have the potential to face and learn how to handle safely while driving.
Dust Storm: They are massive in height and span many miles wide. Arizona drivers that encounter these dust storms are given enough time to exit the road and highways or choose another route to their destination. Arizona Dust storms look like a huge wall when viewed from a distance.
Dust Channel: They are a constant flow of dust that whips across roadways and can engulf vehicles. This will cause drivers with low visibility or no visibility without warning. Dust channels lead to the most severe vehicle crashes because motorists have no chance to react quickly.
According to the ADOT, dust channels can occur anywhere in Arizona. On Interstate 10, there is a stretch of road between Phoenix and Tucson where dust channels often occur. Arizona has invested in detection technology to reduce dust-related crashes. On I-10 between Eloy and Picacho, ADOT has installed dust-detection devices to warn drivers when visibility drops. You can also monitor the AZ 511 app, which gives real-time alerts about dust storms, road closures, and monsoon traffic hazards. Having these tools handy can keep you from driving straight into a storm in the first place.
Even with early warning systems and driver awareness, dust storms remain one of the most dangerous weather threats in Arizona.
Why Dust Storms Are So Dangerous
Dust storms aren’t just heavy winds with dirt in the air. They reduce visibility to nothing, hide vehicles, and often roll in faster than drivers expect. According to ADOT, dust channels along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson are some of the deadliest stretches of road during monsoon season. In one 2013 pileup, blowing dust triggered a 19-vehicle crash that left several people dead and dozens injured.
What makes these crashes so severe is that drivers don’t have time to react. When a wall of dust engulfs the freeway, cars can slam into each other at highway speeds before anyone realizes what’s happening.
Once a storm hits, panic can make drivers freeze or push forward when it isn’t safe. Here’s how to keep control in the chaos.
Immediate Safety Steps When Driving in a Dust Storm
If you’re already inside a dust storm, these steps can protect you and your passengers:
- Pull Off the Road Completely
Exit the highway if possible. If you can’t, move as far right as you safely can, beyond the paved shoulder if there’s room. Do not stop in travel lanes. - Turn Off All Lights
Headlights, brake lights, and hazard lights can confuse other drivers who might think you’re still on the road. Instead, use your parking brake so your car stays in place without glowing lights. - Stay in Your Vehicle with Your Seatbelt On
Your car is your safest shelter. Getting out increases the chance of being hit by another vehicle. - Wait It Out
Most dust storms pass in 15–30 minutes. It may feel like forever, but waiting is far safer than pushing ahead blindly.
The moments right after can be just as dangerous if drivers don’t re-enter the road carefully.
After the Storm Clears
Once visibility improves, drivers often rush to get moving again. That’s when new risks appear. Rain that follows dust can turn roads slick, especially when oil and debris mix with the water. ADOT recommends leaving 3–6 seconds of distance between you and the car ahead after a storm. Ease back onto the road gradually, watching for debris, fallen branches, or stalled vehicles.
It’s also smart to check your air filter and windshield wipers after heavy exposure. Fine desert dust can clog filters and coat windshields with mud, making the next drive even riskier. Even with preparation, some accidents are unavoidable
When a Dust Storm Leads to an Accident
Despite every precaution, dust storm crashes still happen. Victims often face serious injuries, totaled vehicles, and months of recovery. Insurance companies may try to avoid paying by blaming the weather, but Arizona law doesn’t excuse negligent driving just because conditions are harsh.
Arizona law holds drivers responsible for adjusting their driving to conditions. Under mentioned earlier A.R.S. §28-701(A), you must drive at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” for the conditions. That means if you keep driving at highway speed inside a dust storm, you can be cited and even found negligent in an accident.
At the same time, Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system (A.R.S. §12-2505) means fault can be shared. If one driver stopped safely but another plowed ahead recklessly, liability may be divided. Victims of these crashes often face an uphill battle with insurance companies who argue dust storms are “acts of God.” That doesn’t erase responsibility if a driver made poor choices that endangered others.
Arizona dust storms can’t be avoided during monsoon season, but the way drivers react determines the outcome. Staying calm, pulling aside, and waiting it out are the safest steps you can take. Still, even the most careful drivers sometimes end up in collisions caused by others who made reckless choices.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a dust storm crash, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Esquire Law, we live and work in Arizona, and we know the tactics insurance companies use to shift blame. Our car accident lawyers team has guided countless Arizona families through multiple accident claims, standing up against insurers who argue that weather excuses negligence. That starts with a free consultation where we’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and map out a strategy to protect your future. You focus on healing; we’ll handle the fight.