What Do You Know About Dust Storms?
In Arizona, dust storms can strike with little warning. Take our five-question quiz to discover if you know what to do when visibility decreases.
- 1.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, almost five people are killed each year due to dust storms. What does ADOT encourage drivers to do when they encounter a dust storm?
- A.
Pull aside, stay alive.
- B.
Quickly drive, hope not to die.
- C.
Use your eyes, then you'll survive.
Correct Answer
A. Pull aside, stay alive.Explanation
Motorists should avoid driving into a dust storm, if at all possible. Check the weather forecast while planning your commute. Check www.az511.com for current road conditions. If conditions are favorable for dust-storm development, then try to choose another route or plan to pull off to the side of the road when an approaching dust storm has been identified. Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway.Rate this question:
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- 2.
It's inevitable — you find yourself driving through a dust storm. What's your first reaction?
- A.
Drive as fast as possible to get through the dust storm.
- B.
Start slowing your vehicle down, then immediately check the traffic around you.
- C.
Honk your vehicle's horn and flash your emergency lights so those around you know you are there.
Correct Answer
B. Start slowing your vehicle down, then immediately check the traffic around you.Explanation
Check your surroundings. You'll want to know if other vehicles are nearby before visibility greatly reduces — especially if you plan to pull off the roadway. If you can't leave the roadway, then use the painted center line to guide your way. Turn on lights and sound your vehicle's horn occasionally.Rate this question:
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- 3.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, what is a "haboob?"
- A.
Really, I have no idea.
- B.
It's the nickname for a body part. (Hee hee.)
- C.
It's from the Arabic word for wind.
Correct Answer
C. It's from the Arabic word for wind.Explanation
Haboob (pronounced "huh-boob") is derived from the Arabic word haab, which means wind. A haboob is considered a very strong dust storm that can easily move through a hot, dry region. According to NOAA, haboobs are popular not only in the Sonoran Desert, but also the Sahara desert, Arabian peninsula, North Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. In Arizona, three large dust storms, or haboobs, move into the Phoenix area on average each year. Data from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center suggests more than 100 dust storms have been reported in Arizona in the past decade.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Where is the best place for your vehicle to be during a dust storm?
- A.
Stopped in the roadway.
- B.
Driving slowly in the emergency lane.
- C.
Pulled off the roadway.
Correct Answer
C. Pulled off the roadway.Explanation
If possible, pull your vehicle off the roadway as far as possible. Never stop in the travel lane or in the emergency lane. Avoid an approaching dust storm, if at all possible.Rate this question:
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- 5.
After driving into a dust storm, you've successfully pulled you vehicle off the roadway. Now what?
- A.
Turn off your vehicle's lights. Take your foot off the brake and place the vehicle in park.
- B.
Turn on your vehicle's emergency flashers and honk your horn sporadically.
- C.
Get out of your vehicle and request help from other motorists.
Correct Answer
A. Turn off your vehicle's lights. Take your foot off the brake and place the vehicle in park.Explanation
The Arizona Department of Transportation wants drivers to remember "Off. Off. Off." When a dust storm is encountered, then pull off the roadway as far as is possible. Then, turn off all the vehicle's lights. You don't want other motorists to follow your taillights and strike your vehicle from behind. Next, put your vehicle in park and take your foot off the brake. Since dust storm usually last just a few minutes stay put. Stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Apr 08, 2013Quiz Created by
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