Driving in windy conditions
Most people know what to do when driving in rainy conditions or snow but many people don’t realise the dangers of driving in windy conditions. Apart from the danger of being pushed into adjacent lanes, driving in strong winds also have other hidden dangers.
Why is driving in strong winds dangerous?
- Strong winds can uproot trees onto roads and houses
- Flying debris can be thrown against the windscreen
- Overtaking in windy conditions is harder for larger and taller vehicles
If you're driving in windy conditions, you may lose control of your car and this can result in major accidents. Sometimes wind forces are so strong that they can flip vehicles upside down. Here are a few precautions you can take:
- Try not to drive in adjacent lanes to large trucks and lorries as the wind factor may push them slightly out of their lane into yours
- If you have a roof rack remove it if it’s not being used as this can help car handling and petrol consumption
- Try to drive slower than usual to help with judgement as you may spot flying debris and icy patches if you are going slower
Who is most affected?
Cyclists and motorcyclists are more at risk if a sudden gust of wind came along on a wide stretch of road as they could be blown off and into the oncoming path of a vehicle. High cars are also at risk due to how easy it is to topple over in wind. Take extra precautions when driving over a bridge and overtaking high sided vehicles. Pedestrians can be pushed onto roads as well or they may not see oncoming cars because of dust blowing in their eyes, so watch out for them.
