You know where you were going a second ago, so continue on that path to a safe speed or stop.
Especially if you're towing a trailer!
You are right and but they should get to the shoulder quickly. But be careful of the big rigs as they can’t slow down as fast as a passenger car/truck. I have a truck driver that works for me and he was just telling me the story of a similar situation. Every one was slowing down and pulling to the shoulder so he moved over into the left lane. He hit a pickup with 5 guys in it, 2 in the cab and 3 under the canopy. They had come to a complete stop in the lane and there was nothing he could do. He killed the 3 in the back of the truck.
“Hint: DO NOT SLAM ON YOUR BRAKES just because you lose visibility!!! ..... “You know where you were going a second ago, so continue on that path to a safe speed or stop.”
Yes. Been through a sandstorm before and been in an unbelievable torrential rain downpour, losing all visibility both times, and going at least 60 when they hit. You have no idea where anyone is behind or in front, but you know where they were seconds before, so do not slam on the brakes, unless you are hoping to get rear ended.
You do turn your lights and your emergency blinkers on. You try to see to your right as best you can and very gradually reduce speed while gradually trying to creep to your right. Carefully identify when it feels like the surface under the car is changing from regular payment to the shoulder and then, gradually, keeping watch in both directions, try to slow to a stop. If all goes well yours and a bunch of other cars will be lined up and stopped somewhere on the side of the road, usually in bunches.
I remember when this happened in a sandstorm between Phoenix and Palm Springs and I was driving and I was pissed because all my passengers were dead asleep and I couldn’t get them to wake up (kind of selfish like “why I am going through this alone” attitude).
When we got up to the mountain pass between Palm Springs and Redlands I stopped at a gas station and had the engine air cleaner blown out and the air filter changed.
I heard that if possible it was a good idea, after pulling off the road, to get out of your vehicle and as far away from the road as possible. Does that seem like good advice in a situation like this?