Arizona is famous for its hot heat and dry weather. However, Arizonans know the true miracle of desert weather patterns include the famous: haboob.
A haboob is an Arabic-rooted word that means “sandstorm”. Arizona has a massive monsoon season jam-packed with endless rain and tag-a-long haboobs that cover the entire metro area during the summer.
As beautiful as these weather phenomena are, they can be incredibly dangerous if you are on the road. Arizona storms can cause:
- Flooding
- Stalled cars
- Electrocution
- Car accidents
- Death
Here are several safety tips to combat monsoon and haboob driving dangers:
Prepare Ahead of Time
Check the weather and the news if you plan to drive during the summer. If you know a monsoon is coming, you can readily assume a haboob may well be following behind the rainstorm.
Inspect Your Car
Inspecting your car is #1! Ensure your windshield wipers are functioning with clean blades. Check your tires for the proper air pressure and appropriate tread.
Check all lights both inside and outside the vehicle to ensure proper working order. You will need your lights to be bright during a monsoon or haboob for your own visibility and visibility to others.
Safe Driving Tips
If you have to drive during a storm, keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you. You need a bigger gap between vehicles for proper reaction time during inclement weather. Do not tailgate. It takes three times longer to stop on a wet road!
Slow down! There is no need to rush through a storm. Speeding leads to reckless driving and endangerment of both yourself and other drivers.
Flooded Roads are a No-Go!
If you see a road is flooded, DO NOT attempt to pass! This is dangerous and can be deadly. Water moves swiftly and you and your vehicle can be carried away.
Arizona enacted the “Stupid Motorist Law” regarding driving through floods. This law makes the driver responsible for paying the rescue costs if they go around marked barriers suggesting a flood ahead.
A good rule of thumb: If you cannot see the ground, do not cross.
Pull Over
If you must pull over during a monsoon or haboob, it is IMPERATIVE to pull far enough to the shoulder. Pull as far as possible off the road. Also, turn off your lights.
Inclement weather causes poor visibility which causes drivers to rely on the lights ahead of them. This can be a disaster waiting to happen!
Injured During a Monsoon or Haboob?
If you were injured driving through an Arizona summer storm, call Mr. David Klink. Mr. Klink is an Arizona accident attorney who represents victims of car accidents.
Storms can cause a variety of dangerous situations. Being on the road is not advised during a storm. If by chance you are involved in a storm-related car accident, Mr. Klink is here for you. He will listen to the details of your accident and determine if you have a legal claim.
