Stay fully focused if you are driving in strong winds, and go slower to give yourself more time to react to anything unexpected.
The most important rule: take your foot off the accelerator and don’t let yourself be distracted by loud music or conversation, for example.
Always keep both hands on the steering wheel, says Germany’s ADAC motoring club.
If a gust of wind suddenly catches the car, take counteraction and steer in the opposite direction, do so firmly but gently. You don’t want to steer too sharply against the wind as you run the risk of an accident, as if the gust passes suddenly, you could oversteer into a ditch or oncoming traffic.
Pay attention to the kind of winds you are facing, as it is easier to react to a steady crosswind than sudden gusts coming from different directions. And take extra care if you have anything fixed to your vehicle, such as roof boxes or bicycles, as these increase the surface area exposed to the wind.
Look at which way the wind is blowing. You can see the direction by the way trees and bushes are leaning along the road. You are most exposed in open spaces where the wind has open surfaces to hit, say on bridges, forest clearings or tunnel exits.
Be careful when it comes to overtaking large vehicles such as buses and lorries. Bear in mind that if your car emerges from their slipstream, you may find the wind suddenly hits you with full force.
If storms are forecast, try and avoid routes with lots of trees. Once the wind hits force 5, meaning wind speeds of 29 to 38 km/h and up, take extra care. If the authorities issue warnings for severe storms, meaning above wind force 10 or hurricanes, avoid setting off in the first place, say motoring advisors at the ADAC.
“If you’re caught out on the road, stop at the nearest safe place if in doubt,” says Vincenzo Lucà from German testing association TÜV Süd. However, those seeking shelter should avoid places where falling branches or trees could pose a danger.
So think carefully about where to park. A garage is the safest place for a vehicle. If you don’t have one, head for a multi-storey car park and wait the storm out there for a relatively low-cost safe place to retreat, says Lucà.
If you are riding a motorbike, these tips all apply – plus some more. Bikers should stay towards the centre of the road where possible, to provide more room for manoeuvring on both sides. Don’t wear clothing that might flutter in the wind, instead you want to be sure your clothes fit as close to your body as possible. Anything that sticks out, including fuel bags, panniers or luggage rolls all increase the surface area exposed to the wind.
Vehicles from caravans to delivery vans are also more susceptible to wind and can even tip over in the worst-case scenario, says the ADAC. This also applies to trailer combinations. “Check and if yousee the trailer is becoming unstable, immediately slow down and brake whilst keeping an eye on the traffic behind,” says Lucà. This can help stabilize your vehicle.
You run the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads, when the vehicle tyres lose contact with the road, lifting up and sliding on top of a thin layer of standing water, meaning you lose steering control and braking traction. That can cause a vehicle to fishtail or feel extremely light. There is a particularly high risk where rainwater cannot drain away properly, such as in dips, underpasses, ruts or bends, when your tyre tread can no longer displace the water and the tyres start to float.
If this happens, do not turn the steering wheel or brake or accelerate, but let the car coast with the clutch disengaged and without any sudden manoeuvres, until your tyres regain contact. In cars with automatic transmission, gently ease your foot off the accelerator and do not change gear.
If it is raining heavily, avoid flooded sections or underpasses. If in doubt, stop and turn back if you cannot accurately gauge the water depth. That is not always possible, especially as obstacles may be hidden beneath the water.
Be particularly careful if mud and debris are flowing across the road as, the ground can be so slippery that even a slight current can pull the car off the road, says the ADAC.
Driving through water that is too deep at speed risks engine damage from splashing water. Don’t submerge the sills, or only slightly, and drive at walking pace wherever possible, the ADAC says. – dpa
