When we think about harsh driving conditions, ice and snow usually come to mind first, but high winds can also be really tricky to drive in! Driving through wide open spaces like the motorway or bridges, tunnels or overpasses is particularly dangerous in high wind conditions. We’ve got 10 tips below to help you adapt you’re driving on a day of strong winds:
- Firstly, stop and decide if your trip is really necessary. If it is, plan your journey carefully and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
- Keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you, even when you’re stopped in traffic.
- Keep both hands firmly on your steering wheel. Be particularly careful if you’re on a motorbike, strong winds can blow your bike off course and can be very tiring on a rider.
- Turn your lights on, even if it’s bright. Turning on your headlights can help you to see more clearly of what lies ahead and will also help other vehicles see you.
- Be careful around larger vehicles like trucks, vans or cars carrying trailers. These are more inclined to lose control in high winds.
- Be extremely cautious near cyclists or pedestrians. Make sure to give them a wider berth than usual because their paths can easily be affected by strong winds.
- Reduce your speed and be alert for times where you may need to stop suddenly. Expect the unexpected.
- Always be conscious of fallen trees, especially in less built-up areas. Even after strong winds have died down, they might have damaged trees that could uproot days later, so stay cautious.
- Watch out for any other debris on the roads. Winds can blow branches from trees, or large items of rubbish, onto the roads and onto your vehicle.
- High winds and falling trees cause overhead power lines to break and fall which can interrupt the electricity supply to large areas. It’s so important to keep away from any electricity wires, fallen wires are never safe to touch or handle.1
If the weather conditions get too extreme, pull over until you’re ready to continue. When you’re nervous it makes it more difficult to navigate the roads and you’re more likely to make a mistake. Take a break until you’re ready to continue.
You’re not alone in putting your safety first – at Aviva, we do too. We understand that from time to time, the unexpected can happen, and that’s why, with Aviva car insurance, we offer breakdown rescue cover, as standard. Call us on 1800 44 88 88.
