High winds and dust storms: how to stay in control and when to pull over
How to handle crosswinds, protect tall vehicles and pull aside when dust hits
Wind is easy to underestimate. You cannot see it coming, and on most days it is just a nuisance. But a sudden gust can shove a car into the next lane. On an open highway, it can tip over an empty tractor trailer or a camper. In dry areas, wind can lift a wall of dust that drops visibility to zero in seconds.
Federal Highway Administration data show that from 2019 to 2023, severe crosswinds were linked to about 5,900 crashes a year. Low visibility from fog, smoke and blowing dust, sand or snow was linked to about 32,900 crashes and 488 deaths a year [1]. This guide covers how to handle wind and what to do when dust hits.
Who is most at risk from wind
Tall, boxy vehicles. Trucks, buses, vans, RVs and SUVs act like sails. Empty trucks and trailers are lighter and easier to push or tip.
Vehicles towing trailers. Wind can make a trailer sway, which can pull the tow vehicle off course.
Motorcycles. Riders can be pushed across a lane by a single gust.
Everyone near big trucks. A truck pushed by the wind can drift into your lane.
Where gusts hit hardest
- On bridges and overpasses
- In gaps between hills, buildings or rows of trees
- On open plains and desert highways
- When passing or being passed by large trucks
- Leaving a tunnel or a sheltered stretch of road
How to drive in high winds
- Slow down. Lower speeds give you more control and time to react.
- Keep both hands on the wheel. Be ready for sudden pushes.
- Leave space around trucks, buses and trailers. Avoid driving beside them.
- Expect debris. Watch for branches, trash cans and downed lines.
- Steer gently. When a gust hits, make small, steady corrections. Do not jerk the wheel.
- Check forecasts and alerts. Weather agencies issue wind advisories and high wind warnings. Some roads close to high profile vehicles in strong winds.
- Consider waiting. If you drive a tall or towing vehicle and a high wind warning is in effect, delay the trip if you can.
Dust storms: a sudden wall of dust
In the Southwest and Plains, thunderstorms and strong fronts can lift huge dust clouds called haboobs. Plowed fields can also produce blowing dust on windy days.
These storms are deadly because they arrive fast. On May 1, 2023, blowing dust from plowed fields swept across Interstate 55 in central Illinois. It caused a chain of crashes involving 72 vehicles. The death toll reached 8 [2].
Pull Aside, Stay Alive
The Arizona Department of Transportation teaches these steps [3]:
1. Check traffic around you and start slowing down.
2. Pull off early. Do not wait until you cannot see. Leave the highway completely if you can, such as at an exit.
3. Stop in the right place. Do not stop in a travel lane or the emergency lane. Get fully off the pavement.
4. Turn off all lights, including hazard flashers. Drivers behind you may follow your lights and hit you.
5. Set the parking brake, then take your foot off the brake pedal. Brake lights can also draw drivers toward you.
6. Stay in the car with your seat belt on until the storm passes.
Warning: The most important rule is simple: do not drive into a dust storm. If you see a wall of dust ahead, exit or pull off before it reaches you.
If you are caught with no place to pull off
If visibility drops suddenly and you cannot leave the road safely, slow down gradually. Turn on your low beams, use the painted lines to stay in your lane and look for the first safe place to get off the pavement. Do not stop in a travel lane unless you have no other choice. Listen for vehicles behind you.
Other low visibility hazards
The same habits help in thick fog, heavy smoke and blowing snow:
- Slow down well before you lose sight of the road
- Use low beams and fog lights, not high beams
- Leave much more space than usual
- Never stop in a travel lane if you can avoid it
Checklist: windy and dusty days
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- I checked the forecast for wind and dust alerts
- My trailer and any cargo are secured
- I know the exits where I can pull off along my route
- I keep both hands on the wheel and slow down in gusts
- I know the Pull Aside, Stay Alive steps
Frequently asked questions
How strong does wind have to be to tip a vehicle?
It depends on the vehicle’s height, weight and load. Empty trailers and tall vehicles can tip in gusts that most cars handle. Follow high wind warnings and road closures.
Should I turn on my hazards in a dust storm?
Not once you are parked off the road. Arizona officials say to turn off all lights so drivers behind you do not follow your lights and crash into you [3]. While still moving, use low beams.
Do dust storms only happen in Arizona?
No. They happen across the Southwest and the Plains, and blowing dust from fields has caused deadly crashes in the Midwest.
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1Federal Highway Administration. “How Do Weather Events Impact Roads?” ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/roadimpact.htm
- 2WTTW News. “Death Toll From Blinding Dust Storm Crashes on Interstate 55 Rises to 8.” May 17, 2023. news.wttw.com/…/death-toll-blinding-dust-st…
- 3Arizona Department of Transportation. “Pull Aside, Stay Alive: Dust Storms.” azdot.gov/…/dust-storms
This article reflects the safety priorities of severe weather driving and crash prevention. It is general education, not emergency instructions. Follow alerts and road closures from your state transportation agency. Reviewed November 2026.
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