Most drivers have experienced the sensation of a gust of wind pushing their vehicle while on the highway. All of a sudden you feel like your car is being slammed from the side and you have to quickly turn your wheel to stay straight in the lane. While there's no way to avoid high winds outside of getting off the road, there are ways to minimize their effects.
What Makes High Winds So Dangerous?
The most dangerous place to be during high winds is in a vehicle. Fourteen out of 56 wind-related deaths in 2016 happened to those in a vehicle. Vehicles offer little protection from the serious destruction these strong winds can bring. High winds can send deadly debris through the air, start a tornado, or even flip over semi-trucks.
One of the biggest reasons high winds are so dangerous is that they can come out of nowhere. While they are more common while it's storming, they can often proceed a storm itself, so always pay attention to the weather forecast in your area.
Tips for Driving in High Winds
Now that you know the dangers of high winds, you need to know how to handle your vehicle if you drive through them.
Slow down to minimize the effect of wind on your vehicle.
Keep both hands on the wheel at all times and be ready to correct your steering. Gusts can quickly and unexpectedly push your car off the road or into other lanes of traffic.
Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, especially larger vehicles like semi-trucks, buses, and trucks. They have a much larger surface area than cars and high winds are able to move them much easier. If the wind is strong enough, it can even tip over or rip apart tractor-trailers. Keep as wide of a berth as possible if you need to pass one of these vehicles.
Keep an eye out for objects that can blow into the roadways like trash cans, debris, and limbs. If you park your car during a wind storm avoid pulling over under any trees. You don't want a limb falling down on your car.
Look out for anylocal travel warnings or bans due to winds. Some states restrict travel for certain vehicles in high-wind situations.
Don't relax once a series of gusts come to a stop. You never know if it's just a calm in the storm or if it's over.
High winds usually don't occur on their own. They often come with adverse weather conditions like heavy storms, tornados, or hail.
How Can I Make My Car Safer for High Winds?
There are a few ways you can make your car safer when traveling in high winds. One of them is to make sure your tires have good tread. If the tread is low, your car is more prone to a wind push due to less tire grip. Use the penny test to determine if they're safe. They should also be properly inflated so there's less roll from the sidewalls.
If you drive a pickup truck, avoid carrying a large sized load, which the wind can grab like a sail. It can never hurt to keep an emergency kit in your car either, just in case you get stuck due to fallen trees or a wreck.
Stay Safe During High Winds
Sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry and just pull over if you encounter strong wind gusts. Another way to keep yourself safe on the road is by signing up for a driver's ed course at DriversEd.com. You'll learn the rules of the road and how to handle many situations all through fun, bite-sized lessons that you can do entirely online.
Updated 6/20/23