Arrive Alive

Safe Driving in the Dust

Safe Driving in DustDust is generated by the wind blowing over loose topsoil or sand, picking up so much material that visibility is seriously reduced or by vehicles travelling at speed across it.

There are numerous occupational safety, health and environmental hazards and associated risks pertaining to or as a result of dust for drivers and operators of vehicles. Several controls have been developed and implemented over the years to mitigate exposure and limit the effect thereof on drivers, and occupants and to safeguard equipment when in use.

The main risk is impeded visibility and a significant reduction in safety levels. In severe cases, it can lead to deadly conditions for all road users. Apart from dust, loose gravel and pebbles also pose a risk. Flying debris (stones) is a hazard to be aware of, especially if you don't want to lose a headlight at night or windshield. Typical conditions are most prevalent in isolated areas. In the workplace, it is common i.e. mining pits.

When operating any vehicle in too much dust/sand air filters can become clogged and result in overheated engines and air starvation. Over a prolonged period, dust can clog cabin filters and reduce safe oxygen levels for vehicle inhabitants.

The best prevention is not to drive in dusty conditions, but if there is no alternative, do not open the windows of the car/cabin whilst driving/operating a vehicle, as dust can be very harmful to your health. The best is to keep it closed and if air-conditioned set it at low speed.

Some mitigation measures to improve your safety and health

Some mitigation measures to improve your safety and health

The following were found to be very useful:

  • Via engineering control - regular maintenance of vehicles - greasing, unclogging of air/cabin filters, replacing broken windscreens, head/fog lights and indicators.
  • Reduce speed - reduction by 50% can result in a 65% of dust reduction for others and improve vehicle handling.
  • Drive as far as possible on the left-hand side of the road and especially around bends/curves (left-hand driving countries)
  • Close all windows and turn your vehicle’s ventilation system to recirculated air.
  • Drive with lights on to improve your visibility and hazard lights in hazardous conditions

Control Measures

Control Measures and Dust Suppression

Dust control measures that can be applied to assist in the reduction of dust and dust suppression

  • Watering of roads - depending on atmospheric conditions its effectiveness can be of a very short period. In SA an arid country is also problematic.
  • Gravelling of roads - will lessen the dust but increase flying stone risk. Mixing aggregated with a binding medium can prolong the life thereof.
  • Increase soil moisture content by adding deliquescent salts (i.e. calcium chloride or magnesium chloride). It increases the moisture level by attracting water. Become hazardous during rain thou.
  • Binding of road surface with petroleum-based material i.e. asphalt. Organic non-petroleum dust suppressants such as diluted molasses - are found at sugar mills, etc.
  • Paving or use of impermeable material - very costly, but highly effective - Golden highway in SA comes to mind.

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

A word of appreciation to Johan Rheeder - Technical Manager at Safetycloud Auditing.

Also View

Safe Driving on Gravel Roads

The Health Risks of Exposure to Dust

Safe Driving in Strong Winds

Safe Driving on Corrugated and Washboard Roads

Loading...

Search Road Safety Articles

Latest Pages

Bus Crashes, Crash Investigation and Preventative Measures

Bus Crashes, Crash Investigation and Preventative Measures

South Africa has recently experienced a significant increase in road fatalities among our bus passengers. There have been within the short time frame of 2 weeks 3 horrific bus crashes in KZN, the Free State and Gauteng. Is this merely a coincidence or what is contributing to the increase in fatal

Read More

Guide to Bus Passenger Safety

Guide to Bus Passenger Safety

Introduction to Safety for Passengers During the start of 2011, there have been horrific and alarming bus crashes across the globe. Studies have however revealed that the transportation of school children is safest in buses and in fact significantly safer than transporting school children in minibuses,

Read More

Twelve motorcycles impounded in Alberton

Twelve motorcycles impounded in Alberton

On Thursday 06 February 2025 between the hours of 11:00 and 14:00,the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Overloads Unit Officers, impounded twelve(12) motorcycles for failing to meet the requirements of the National Road Traffic Act 93/1996 in the Alberton area. While conducting law

Read More

Toll Roads in South Africa

Toll Roads in South Africa

Why have toll roads? Roads form the main artery of economic competitiveness, growth and social development. To Build roads costs billions of rands. Toll roads assist us in meeting the demands of social services, which are important for the growth of our country. Toll roads accelerate the availability

Read More

Road Deaths, Wills Drafting and Estate Administration

Road Deaths, Wills Drafting and Estate Administration

In South Africa, we experience horrific road deaths, injuries and trauma related to incidents on our roads. Through the Arrive Alive road safety initiative we strive to create awareness that could reduce these fatalities and injuries from not only preventable road crashes, but also the impact of crime

Read More

LocaTrack: Enhancing Family Safety on the Roads This Summer

LocaTrack: Enhancing Family Safety on the Roads This Summer

Introduction With the summer season upon us, South Africa's roads become busier as families travel for holidays, making road safety more critical than ever. As part of the Arrive Alive Summer Campaign, LocaTrack provides a unique tool for keeping families connected and secure on the go. This

Read More

Load More Pages

Partners

View All