How To Drive Safely In Heavy Winds

9 December 2016
 Categories: Law, Blog

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Driving when there are strong winds is dangerous, but there are times when you may find yourself with no option but to do it. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, use the following tips so that you don't injure yourself or others on the road:

Keep Both Hands On The Wheel

While it is always a good idea to have both hands on the wheels while driving, it's even more crucial when the car isn't stable. Driving in strong winds makes the car unstable because it can push you into other lanes or cars. Having both hands on the wheels ensures that you can quickly get the car back onto the right lane if a strong burst of winds pushes you off your lane.

Be Careful Around Large Vehicles

Large vehicles, such as trucks and recreational vehicles, are more affected by winds than small vehicles. This is because large vehicles have larger surface areas than small vehicles, and this means they experience stronger wind forces. Therefore, increase the distance between your car and other large vehicles on the road so that they won't hit you even if the wind accidentally pushes them into your lane.

Reduce Your Speed

In strong winds, you aren't safe just because you are driving within the speed limits. You need to slow down because it is more difficult to maneuver out of a sticky situation at slow speeds compared to high speeds. Also, if you lose control at low speeds, you can regain stability after a short distance, which won't be the case if you are going at high speeds.

Expect Road Obstructions

Even if you are familiar with a road, you should expect surprise obstructions on it if there are strong winds. Fallen trees, wind-blown litter, floodwater, and even sand may obstruct some sections of the road. Therefore, be on the lookout for such obstructions, so you don't accidentally run into them.

Be Careful When Exiting Protected Areas

You may not know how strong the wind is when driving in protected areas; for example, when driving between buildings, behind a large truck, or in a tunnel. Moving from a protected to an open road may, therefore, expose you to an unexpected burst of wind. Therefore, it's best to slow down and be alert when moving from such areas so that you can avoid nasty surprises.

If you do get in an accident, keep calm and remember to follow the usual post-accident advice. Don't flee the scene, don't admit liability, preserve evidence, get witnesses' contacts, and get prompt medical advice. After that, consult a car accident attorney for advice on your damage recovery options.