Winter is upon us and some in the country are already experiencing the cold windy blasts of winter. We don’t often hear about the dangers of driving during windy weather, but maybe we should.
No matter what car you drive, everyone’s felt that sudden shifting of your vehicle on the road when a strong wind kicks up. And it’s not just discomfort - strong winds can cause fatal accidents if you aren’t careful. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you’re defenseless on the road. Here are the top three tips that will ensure your safety in blustery conditions.
- Drive slowly.
This may sound obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s less important. Driving at high speeds will make your vehicle more prone to be shifted around by the wind. On top of that, driving faster means you’ll have less time to react if the wind does move your vehicle in a compromising direction. Slowing down won’t completely solve these issues, but it will greatly reduce their impact.
Moreover, if there’s any moisture or winter precipitation on the road, driving at high speeds will make you vulnerable to hydroplaning or sliding as well. No matter how crunched you are for time, it’s not worth risking your safety.
- Make subtle corrections.
It can be alarming to feel your vehicle being manipulated by strong winds. Many drivers can get startled and jerk their steering wheel too far in the opposite direction, which is a hazard on its own. You might not even realize you’re thrusting yourself into another lane where a car is hiding in your blind spot.
The best thing to do in windy weather is to keep calm. Make gentle, calculated corrections when you feel the wind, especially if visibility is poor.
- Keep your eye out for flying or falling objects.
Sometimes it’s not what’s on the road that gets you. It’s what’s above you and to the side of you. Strong winds can easily take branches off of trees that can spell trouble for your vehicle. Even worse, power lines can fall and block roads completely.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible for you to control the forces of nature. However, you can at least try to keep away from large trees if you can. And when you do park your vehicle, make sure there’s nothing around that could crash down and smash your hood.
If you’re concerned that your current vehicle isn’t up to date on safety, please give me a call or send me a message. I’d love to show you the cutting edge safety features of the vehicles on our lot. No matter what vehicle you drive, you’re the most valuable thing inside it.
Contact me today and let me help!
