Flying debris and sudden swerves: The risks of driving in severe wind

LONDON: Drivers tend to be wary of the dangers of icy roads and foggy conditions - but wind? How often are you likely to consider the risks of sudden gusts before setting off in the car?

When severe winds have been forecast, there are indeed several factors drivers should be considering. Before anything, consider whether you really need to make a journey in the first place. The safety spot you can be in is at home, so think about putting that trip off for a later date if you can.

Of course, if it’s an emergency or you do need to travel then it’s still okay to do so, but if it’s a trip that can be delayed until after the high winds have disappeared, then it may be safer to do that instead.

Take your time

Should you get behind the wheel, give yourself more time than you might usually. Strong winds can cause debris to fly across the road, while there’s a greater chance of trees and branches falling into the road.

Likewise, giving yourself more time allows you a longer period to react should a driver ahead have to unexpectedly swerve or hit the brakes.

Pack some emergency supplies

You can never know what might happen when driving in poor weather, so pack some supplies to help out if you do need to stop for a longer period than expected. You don’t need to go mad, but some warmer clothes, a bottle of water and some snacks could make an unpleasant trip a little more bearable.

Park in a safe spot

That bad weather doesn’t go away when you’ve stopped, of course, so think about where you’re leaving your car in order to prevent any damage later on. For example, it’s not a good idea to park underneath a tree or low-hanging branches when the wind is still pushing on, so try and leave your vehicle somewhere clear.

Your best bet is to leave your car in a garage or under a covering but if this isn’t possible then a wide open area can help.

Leave more space

Other road users can be affected by high winds, which is why it’s important to give them more space than usual. If there are any cyclists on the road then leave a large ‘cushion’ between your vehicle and them when passing, and the same goes for motorcyclists.

If you notice pedestrians walking on the pavement at the side of the road then leave a little more space – a strong gust could easily push them out and into the path of traffic.