Jose Leon of Leon Law offers expert accident law representation in Phoenix
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
It’s monsoon season here in the Valley of the Sun and that means unpredictable weather at times creating unsafe driving conditions for local motorists.
The term ‘monsoon’ comes from a description of large-scale wind activity that carries moist air into dry desert locations just like the Phoenix metropolitan area, which is part of the Sonoran Desert.
In northern Arizona, officials at the National Weather Service report, monsoon season begins in the later part of July meanwhile throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, ‘monsoon season’ stretches from about mid-June through September.
Turns out, nearly half of all water collected in arid environments found part of the southwestern United States comes during these wet months of the calendar year.
But if you find yourself caught in the rain or high winds, driving a motor vehicle can become dangerous very quickly, warns Jose Leon of Leon Law.
“One of the main dangers of monsoons is their unpredictability and dangerous conditions it creates. A lot of monsoons are preceded by a dust storm that makes it very difficult to drive,” he said. “These dust storms and spurts of rain can create visibility issues when on a roadway. If you encounter one and can’t safely continue on the road it is recommended that you get off the road and turn off your lights so vehicles don’t follow your lights and collide with your vehicle.”
For more than a decade, Leon Law and its dedicated staff have taken on the mantra of education first — no matter the case, client or circumstance.
Mr. Leon has called the Phoenix metropolitan area home since 1998, after growing up in Nogales, Ariz. He was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and came to the United States when he was 6 years old.
Mr. Leon sat down with the Digital Free Press to explain as the Phoenix metropolitan area experiences a fierce monsoon season during summer 2024 what motorists should do if they find themselves in an accident — and what they can do to avoid one.
This is what he had to say:
*What are the most common types of accidents that occur during monsoon season in Phoenix?
Accidents during monsoon season are more likely happening due to lack of experience and overconfidence with the wet conditions. Drivers may not understand the change in reaction speeds with low visibility or increase liquid on the roadways. It is common to have an increase in rear end collisions or intersection collisions (T-bone accident) if a driver is unable to see the change in traffic flow or intersection signal change.
*What are some tips for drivers to stay safe during monsoon season in Phoenix?
The best advice to give someone driving in monsoons is to slow down and allow more time for reaction to the conditions. Speed is always a factor in accidents. The less time one has to reach the increase in change to get involved in a car accident.
*How can drivers prepare their vehicles for monsoon season in Phoenix?
Properly maintained vehicles are critical for safe driving. Monsoons bring additional dangers, and it is recommended that drivers consider proper tires compound. Consult your local tire expert/shop on what type of tires you should have during the monsoon season so that you are fully prepared.
*What are the laws in Arizona regarding driving during monsoon season?
There aren’t any specific laws that specify how to drive during a monsoon. Having said that the Arizona transportation statutes (Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28) do include this idea of driving in a reasonable and prudent speed in order to protect yourself and others as you drive a vehicle. One must consider the driving conditions and potential hazards so in a rainy environment you’d want to make sure that you adjust your driving decisions accordingly.
*What are the common mistakes that drivers make during monsoon season in Phoenix?
A common mistake we make when driving in a monsoon is being overconfident of what other drivers will do on a roadway. Realistically we do not know how others will drive and, in many instances, we won’t know what dangers we will encounter ourselves. Try and drive slower and calmly so that you can make it safely to your destination.
