Driving in strong winds...

Feb 8, 2011

Much of the UK has experienced high winds over the past week causing problems on many roads. People often forget that driving in strong winds can be just as dangerous as driving in snow and ice. Not only can such weather affect your own vehicle, but it could also cause other vehicles or obstacles to be blown into your driving path. 

Wind can change direction very suddenly and large gusts can often take drivers unaware. The best safety advice, as with all extreme weather conditions, is to avoid travel wherever possible. However, we know that driving in such weather can sometimes be unavoidable. 

Therefore, we have put together 10 top tips to help keep you safe in windy conditions…

Stay Safe Tips…

1. Reduce your speed – this will increase the amount of control you have over your vehicle. Accelerating and decelerating smoothly at all times whilst driving in strong winds is highly advised.

2. Take care passing high sided vehicles - high sided lorries and other larger vehicles are prone to being blown across the road and even toppled over. The size of larger vehicles can also create turbulence in strong winds, affecting cars and other vehicles around them.

3. Make sure that your vehicle is in a good condition before travelling – check your brakes, lights and that the tyres are the correct pressure and not damaged.

4. Use two hands on the wheel at all times – this will help you stay in control of your vehicle and rectify any changes in your steering from sudden gusts of wind.

5. Be wary when driving on exposed roads and passing any gaps between buildings and hills at the side of the road.

6. Make sure you pay full attention whilst driving and avoid any distractions, such as mobile phones and objects outside of your vehicle.

7. Keep all your windows closed – having an open window will allow wind to enter your car and can drastically affect the amount of control you have as a driver.

8. Anticipate what is ahead – if you can see a situation developing further ahead of you, this will give you more time to react to the situation resulting in avoiding any unnecessary accidents.

9. Be wary of motorcyclists and cyclists – these are lightweight and will be more vulnerable to strong winds. If caught in a gust, they can be blown across the road so always give them extra room. 

10. Beware of debris on the road – fallen branches, trees, road signs and other debris can cause you to swerve or even worse fall onto your vehicle. 

If you don’t feel safe to drive in such conditions, then it is advised that you don’t. Only travel if you feel it is necessary to do so. 

It’s important that companies who operate a fleet pass on this advice to their drivers. Mark Dalton, Risk Management Consultant at Wilby Limited explains; “Driving at work is a risk area many companies overlook and approximately one in three of all road traffic accidents involve someone “at work”.

Driving in bad weather adds additional hazards. We recommend that where employees drive as part of their role, a risk assessment is carried out, including the bad weather risks and the necessary guidance is provided so drivers can plan their journey and have the appropriate skills and resources to carry out their duties safely.” 

If you would like further information and advice on extreme weather conditions and the risks that it poses then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.