The Arizona Department of Public Safety offers these safety tips to assist motorists during the monsoon season. A desert monsoon storm can be a thing of beauty to watch but it can also be dangerous or even deadly. Monsoon conditions can range from high winds and blowing dust to torrential rains that create hazardous driving conditions:

First and foremost slow down. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel in bad weather. On wet roads your vehicle will have less traction than on a dry road. Slower travel speeds allow for safer braking and stopping distances.

Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other lanes. Braking and stopping distances will be affected by wet roads and slippery roadway surfaces.

Watch carefully for water pooling on the roadway as this could cause your vehicle to slide or hydroplane.

Do not enter an area where the roadway has been closed by barricades due to flooding. You don’t know how deep the water is or how fast it is running. Also, it is illegal and very dangerous to drive into a flooded area!

Drive with your headlights on. This increases your visibility to other vehicles.

At night, slow down and pay close attention to changing road and weather conditions.

Strong winds can be associated with a monsoon storm. Watch for blowing dust and, if possible, avoid driving into a dust storm.

If you cannot avoid the dust storm drive with your headlights on and slow down.

If you choose to stop in a dust storm, do not stop on the roadway or on the emergency shoulder area. Pull completely off the roadway surface, stop, and turn off all vehicle lights.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Replace worn tires for better traction and maintain proper tire air pressure, replace worn windshield wiper blades, and make sure the brakes are in good condition.

Be prepared for unforeseen delays, such as flooded roads, construction or other traffic delays. Carry extra food and water in your vehicle.

If you suffer a mechanical breakdown or tire failure, remain calm, slow down, keep the steering straight, and drive the vehicle to a safe area as far from traffic as possible.

Always wear your safety restraints.

Be patient and courteous. Remember other motorists are facing the same weather conditions.