Driving in high winds can be extremely dangerous. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help keep you and other road users safe in windy conditions.
Drive slowly
Strong winds can impact your car’s handling and braking, so drive more slowly than usual. Remember that sudden gusts can take you by surprise and it is often too late to do anything at this point. Driving slowly will help you to stay in control and give you more time to react to heavy gusts.
Park sensibly
You should avoid parking near anything that could be blown over and cause damage to your vehicle or injury to you or your passengers. Trees are an obvious example of something that could be blown over in strong winds.
Hold the wheel firmly
Hold the driving wheel firmly, but not too tight. Hold it too loosely and you might struggle to regain control if a strong gust of wind knocks you off course; hold it too tight and you might struggle to adjust your grip fast enough to react to changing conditions. Try to remain calm and collected while driving and regularly check your wheel grip as you travel.
Follow weather forecasts
Stay updated on changing weather conditions. If news or weather bulletins advise against non-essential travel, pay attention. Don’t go out on the roads unless you absolutely have to.
If you have to venture out in your vehicle for work or other reasons, take extra care when driving or operating machinery in exposed areas. Use buggy whips if relevant, such as those available from https://wisuk.co.uk/buggy-whip.
Take extra care when overtaking
Remember to leave extra space when overtaking. Don’t be tempted to take any chances and always be patient. Remember that other vehicles might be more affected by the wind than you; for example, they might be taller, lighter or less stable, or perhaps they are blocking the worst of the wind from you because of the direction of the wind.
Plan your route carefully
If possible, avoid particularly exposed routes where you are likely to be more affected by the wind. This might include roads at a high elevation, very exposed roads open on both sides, or roads along the coast. Check travel updates before travelling and check for any road closures or delays.
