Summer is quickly moving along, and fall is already starting to be in the air – and, with it, high-wind season is coming.
High winds can make driving dangerous for a number of reasons, and drivers need to be prepared to handle the risks when they’re out there on the roads.
What are the biggest risks when driving in high winds?
If you hear that there’s a high-wind warning in your area, it really is safer to stay home if you have that option. High wind warnings are issued whenever the winds are 40 miles per hour, or greater (with extreme wind warnings being issued for surface winds of 115 mph or greater).
In general, the biggest risks drivers face in high winds include:
- Being blown off the road: Do you drive a compact car? Your vehicle may actually blow right off the road if you aren’t careful, because it doesn’t have the weight of a larger vehicle.
- Tipping over: Larger vehicles don’t exactly have it easier in high winds because they have a higher profile. That can cause the wind to catch them and flip them over. SUVs, trucks, semis, vans, RVs and campers all pose a serious danger of rollovers.
- Debris in the road: Strong winds can throw all kinds of debris from surrounding areas and off of unsecured loads into the path in front of you, which can easily lead to a wreck.
- Swerving vehicles: You may find that vehicles around you are swerving because their drivers have either lost control of their steering due to the force of the winds or they’re trying to avoid all that debris.
It’s recommended that drivers slow down (especially on bridges, overpasses and around turns where they’re more exposed to the wind), make sure that they eliminate distractions, increase their following distance to give themselves more time to react and – when it no longer seems safe to travel – try to pull over and wait until the winds pass.
If you’re involved in a wreck in a high-wind situation, the issue of fault may become very complicated – especially if the other driver isn’t willing to shoulder any blame. Seeking legal guidance can help protect your interests.