10 Monsoon Safety Driving Tips

Driving Tips for safe driving in an Arizona monsoon:

1. Stay calm. Don’t slam your brakes or accelerate too quick. Drive safely, give other cars room, and yourself enough time to stop as the road may be slippery. Be calm, don’t panic and stay safe.
2. Be prepared. During the monsoon season you can expect the unexpected, which means that you need to make sure your phone is charged, and any supplies you may need are available (e.g. emergency kit, water, etc.).
3. Avoid the storm all together if you can. This sounds obvious, but, if you can spare the time and want to be safe, just wait for the storm to pass. If you are driving, and see a haboob or rain coming your way, pull off the road and just wait for it to roll by.
4. Turn on your lights. Even if you can see perfectly fine, engage your headlights so other drivers can see your car more easily.
5. Avoid flash flood areas. When a surge of rain hits a flood area can become a death trap. It only takes a few moments for a perfectly dry area to become a rushing current of water, trapping you inside your vehicle, and leaving you stranded, or worse pushing your car down-stream with the rest of the debris.
6. If you lose visibility it is best to pull over and wait. Pull over as far as you can, turn off your lights, set your parking brake, and remove your foot from the brake pedal. According to ADOT this will reduce the chance of another motorist crashing into your car.
7. Check your vehicle before you leave. It is good to always check your car regularly, however, when you know wet weather or the season is approaching it is that much more important to give your car a safety inspection. Check the wipers, tires (tread and pressure), and your lights.
8. Avoid flooded streets. In Phoenix a street can flood quickly, and it can be hard to determine how deep a flooded street is. When in a driving lane or approaching an intersection avoid driving through the deep pools of water, they can cause you to lose control and crash, endanger other motorists, and may damage your vehicle.
9. Be wary of hydroplaning and slippery roads. When driving on wet roads, your car can leave the surface of the road causing you to hydroplane and it is more likely to lose control. In Phoenix the roads don’t see much water, so they have more build up of oil and dust, the introduction of water can be that much more dangerous. Be cautious and know that maintaining control of your vehicle is that much more imperative under these conditions.
10. Know the rules of the road. Driving in wet conditions things can change quickly, such as power being out, traffic signals not working, or roads being closed. If a light is down, treat it as a four-way stop, but also be wary as other drivers may be less experienced or not paying attention and it could be a dangerous situation. If a road is closed, don’t assume it is safe, it is better to be cautious, then stuck and needing emergency assistance. Obey the rules of the road and stay safe for yourself and the safety of other motorists.