Driving in Windy Conditions: Safety Rules When The Wind Is Too Strong

Updated Nov. 16, 2020

Strong winds can sometimes be a problem for car drivers. They are especially dangerous for lightweight cars, vehicles towing trailers, campers and other high-sided recreational vehicles. Being light or having a large surface to catch the wind can cause these vehicles to be thrown out of their lane during very windy or stormy conditions.

Wind gusts
How to drive in high winds

When driving in very windy conditions, reducing your speed is the best way to avoid an accident. This will minimize the “lift” effect of air moving underneath the vehicle at speed, and increase your vehicle's grip on the road’s surface. If possible, you should avoid driving next to other motorists who may be struck if your vehicle is thrown from its lane.

Wind gusts

Be aware that sudden exposure may cause you to be hit by a strong gust of wind as you cross a culvert or bridge, or drive through mountain passes and ravines. You must always remain aware of your surroundings and prepared to control your vehicle should a sudden wind gust occur. It is quite common for drivers to lose vehicle control when not anticipating strong winds. Make yourself aware of risky environments and be ready to deal with them.

If you are in a particularly small or light vehicle, you may feel strong gusts of wind when a large truck or bus passes you. Stay alert and move as far to the right as you safely can when a large vehicle is approaching you from the opposite direction on a two-lane highway.

How to drive in high winds

The following precautions can help you keep control of your vehicle and avoid accidents during extremely windy conditions. Further guidance on dealing with hazardous conditions can be found in your state’s driving manual.

1
Always reduce your speed during high winds.
This will ground your vehicle, improve your control and give you more time to react defensively should an accident occur around you.
2
Keep your hands firmly in the “two and ten” position on the steering wheel.
Grip, rather than simply resting your hands on the wheel. A strong gust of wind could cause it to spin from your grasp.
3
Look ahead and be especially vigilant for debris and other obstacles on the road.
4
Do not use cruise control.
You will need full control of the gas pedal to manage the speed of your vehicle, should it be hit by an unexpected gust of wind.
5
When dealing with a storm or dangerously high-winds, consider pulling over and waiting for conditions to calm down before proceeding on your journey.
Nobody likes to be delayed but being on-time is not worth putting your life in jeopardy.

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Driving in Snow & Ice

Driving when there is snow or ice on the roads is extremely treacherous. Snow or ice between your tires and the surface of the road will greatly reduce traction, thus increasing the distance it takes to stop. Ice is generally more dangerous than snow, as it is very difficult to see.

Driving through A Blizzard or Snow Storm

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Driving in a Blizzard

Blizzards combine the limited visibility of fog with the slippery roads you can expect from ice and snow. Driving in a blizzard makes it incredibly difficult to see what is going on around you and maintain control of your vehicle. The best defense against a blizzard is simply not to drive in one in the first place.

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Driving in Hot Weather

Driving in extremely hot weather can be harmful to your health, and the health of your vehicle. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. When traveling in very hot weather, always keep an eye on the temperature warning light. If it goes on, or if the gauge enters the red zone, pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop. Keep well away from traffic and park in the shade, if any is available.

Review

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Driving in Hazardous Conditions

Unfavorable weather and road conditions can create hazards that make driving difficult, and more dangerous. You must learn how to identify and compensate for these hazards, to protect yourself and other road users from harm. hoosing not to drive in rain, snow or fog, at night or during any other hazardous conditions is always the smartest decision.

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Driving with Sun Glare

Drivers are most susceptible to sun glare in mornings and late afternoons, when the sun is lowest in the sky. Sun glare is incredibly dangerous as it can impair vision and in extreme cases, cause momentary blindness. Less severe sun glare can distort road signs and traffic signals, leading drivers to make potentially devastating mistakes.

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Driving Through Fog & Smoke

Of all the adverse weather conditions you may have to deal with while driving, fog is the most dangerous. Turn on your headlights, activate fog lights, activate your windscreen wipers and reduce speed. Do not start a journey if the fog is so thick that the way ahead is completely obscured a few feet in front of your vehicle.

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Driving in The Rain

Driving in the rain can be every bit as dangerous as driving in icy or snowy conditions. Water on the road’s surface can seriously impede your vehicle control, while the rain itself impacts visibility. You must understand how to manage theses challenges and drive safely during wet and rainy conditions. Every risk you face during wet and rainy weather can be diminished by reducing your speed; this should be the first action you take.

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Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is a phenomenon which occurs on wet roads, when a vehicle hits a film of water at a speed great enough to glide on top of it, rather than maintaining contact with the road’s surface. Increasing speed makes the water-channeling action less effective and can separate your tires from the asphalt, so they ride over the water like a set of water skis. When hydroplaning occurs, it results in partial or complete loss of control and steering ability. It is something that every driver wants to avoid.

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Driving Through Deep Water

When it comes to driving through deep water, there is only one rule you need to remember: avoid it at all costs. Even relatively shallow water can be dangerous. At low speeds, six inches of water can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and can float some smaller vehicles.