Due to the extremely hot and dry summers, dust storms are quite common in Dubai. Driving in such weather can become very difficult and risky. Extremely low visibility due to excessive dust in the air can lead to severe accidents. Therefore, motorists should always prepare themselves and their vehicles for driving in a dust storm in Dubai. Dust and storms are one of the environmental factors that may harm your vehicle.
This guide explains what you need to do if a dust storm hits while you are on the road. Follow these tips to drive your car to safety without losing your nerves.
Surviving a Dust Storm in Dubai while Driving
When it comes to driving on the roads of Dubai, a dust storm can hit you at any time, especially during the summers. Therefore, you should be prepared ahead of time to tackle such a situation and avoid risky situations created due to the storm. These safety tips can help you with driving in a dust storm in Dubai:
1. Don’t Panic
Panicking you are behind the wheel will only make matter worse. Being anxious on the road will lead to poor decision making and result in an unfortunate incident.
One of the major drawbacks of a sand storm is poor visibility. Therefore, you need to maintain slow speeds and refrain from changing lanes abruptly. Most likely, other drivers on the road will also be cautious. The best thing to do is calm your nerves and focus on your own driving. Since dust storms are a common occurrence in Dubai, it is best to mentally prepare yourself for the scenario.
2. Take your vehicle off the highway
In case you recognise a sand storm emerging from afar, remove your vehicle immediately from the highway. If it is too risky to make that move, keep driving at a slow speed and make an exit the moment you can find a suitable side of the road to take your car off the highway.
3. Turn off your vehicle lights
Once you have pulled over, make sure you turn off all of your car lights. This will keep other vehicles behind you from following your car off the road and collide in it by mistake.
4. Stay updated
Tune in to the radio or connect with someone on the phone to stay updated on the dust storm situation. The radio provides information about when the storm will stop. This will help you stay calm and wait without getting anxious. However, if you find the news too unnerving, play some music to calm your nerves.
5. Check Visibility
Once the dust is settled (literally), wait for some time and only get back on the road when there is proper visibility for at least 300 feet. Another thing to consider is that heavy rains often follow dust storms in Dubai and thus increasing speeds on the roads can be dangerous too.
How to Prevent a Dust Storm from affecting your Vehicle
You can take the following precautionary measures to keep your vehicle away from harm’s way in a Dubai sand storm:
1. Stay Indoors
If there is already a prediction of a sand storm, you should stay indoors and not drive unless it is something extremely important or unavoidable. Always avoid driving when there is a forecast to be safe from dangerous situations.
2. Choose your vehicle wisely
If you drive frequently in Dubai, chances are you will have to face these sand storms at some point. In this case, driving the wrong type of car such as a topless convertible can be a huge disadvantage. A sturdy pickup, station wagon or SUV can help you better on your road journey in a sand storm as it is well-built, offers protection and coverage.
Have a look at the listing of affordable used cars that are sturdy and well-built to be a reliable drive in a sand storm:
3. Clean your car thoroughly
Washing your car ASAP after it was in a dust storm is crucial for its proper maintenance. If you leave sand on your vehicle, rusting and erosion may occur. These dust particles are likely to stick to the car paint and damage it. You can take your vehicle to a car wash or DIY. Furthermore, investing in car covers is also recommended.
4. Proper Vehicle Maintenance
You should always keep in mind that a car that is well-maintained is likely to withstand bad weather such as sandstorms, dust storms, fog, heavy rains, excessive heat and other. Regularly check the various car fluid, mechanical and electrical parts of your car and ensure proper maintenance for consistent vehicle performance.
You can schedule car maintenance checkups as per your convenience or follow the car user manual for directions. A well-kept car is likely to keep you safe even in difficult driving situations like a Dubai dust storm. Once you have driven in a dust storm you are advised to take the car to a service shop and have it checked including the immediate cleaning of the air filter.
Finally, if you find yourself in a tight spot during a sandstorm, you can always contact the official department at Dubai Emergency contact number to call for help. These are all the tips you need to consider and follow when driving in a dust storm in Dubai.
For more information on car and road safety, stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog.
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