Dust was back to its old tricks in the north Valley on Monday, as state traffic officials warned that windy, dusty conditions were flaring up on and off along Loop 303 near Lone Mountain Parkway and Lake Pleasant Parkway. Visibility was dropping in spots, and Arizona drivers know that can turn dangerous in a hurry.
The message from traffic officials: do not drive into blowing dust, and if a cloud suddenly wipes out your view of the road, get safely and completely off the pavement and wait it out.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, dust was “starting to kick up” along the Loop 303 corridor. The agency repeated its familiar warning to never drive into a dust storm and to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.” The post also listed practical steps – including setting the parking brake and taking your foot off the brake – for drivers who manage to pull off the highway but are still caught in the storm…