Driving Safety in Stormy and Windy Weather

05/01/2026

What is a Storm?

A storm is defined as wind speed exceeding a specific threshold and reaching a level of power capable of causing damage to its surroundings.

What is Wind?

From a meteorological perspective, wind is the horizontal movement of air.

Wind Speeds

The most common scale used to understand the force of the wind on both sea and land is the Beaufort Scale. Drivers should be particularly cautious starting from Grade 6 (Strong Breeze) and above.

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See:

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The Impact of Storms on Road Traffic Safety

The Impact of Storms on Road Traffic Safety

Wind applies three fundamental forces to a vehicle: Drag, Lift, and the most dangerous of all—Crosswind!

Aerodynamic Instability:Wind reduces the vehicle's contact with the road surface, which weakens steering control and increases the likelihood of a crash.
Veering and Drifting Risk: Especially at high speeds, a sudden gust of wind can push a vehicle out of its lane. If the driver overcorrects, it can lead to a loss of control and a serious crash.
Visual Obstructions: Dust, sand, or flying debris carried by high winds can suddenly reduce visibility, creating hazardous conditions that may result in a multi-vehicle crash.

Risks for Heavy Vehicles

Due to their large side surface areas, heavy vehicles act like a "sail" against the wind, making them highly vulnerable.

Rollover:Empty trailers carry a significant risk of rolling over when wind speeds exceed
70-80 km/h
Jackknifing: Strong winds can push the trailer sideways, causing it to swing out of the truck's control. This "jackknife" position often results in a catastrophic crash blocking multiple lanes.

The Most Dangerous Zones: Where Should You Be Careful?

The impact of wind can be amplified by geographical features and structures, creating a "Venturi Effect" that increases wind speed in narrow passages.

Bridges and Viaducts: Because they are elevated and lack natural barriers (such as trees or buildings), wind strikes at its purest and most powerful force. These locations are high-risk areas for a wind-related crash.
Tunnel Exits: A vehicle exiting the still air of a tunnel is suddenly hit by a very strong crosswind. This "impact effect" can cause the driver to lose steering control and lead to a sudden crash.
Valley Gorges: Mountainous terrain acts like a funnel, compressing the wind and significantly increasing its velocity as it passes through narrow gaps.
Forest Clearings in Open Areas: These are transition points where you move from a dense, protected wooded area into open terrain. The sudden exposure to wind can catch a driver off guard, increasing the risk of a crash.

How to Read a Windsock

pilotinstitute.com/reading-windsocks/

How to Read a Windsock

The position of a windsock provides critical information about wind speed and its potential to cause a crash:

Completely Limp: No wind or very light breeze (0–5 km/h).
Near Horizontal: Strong wind. The higher the tip of the cone rises, the harsher the wind.
Fully Horizontal and Taut: Storm warning! Wind speed is approximately 25–30 km/h and above. In this condition, the risk of your vehicle being affected by crosswinds is at its highest level.

Why is it Important?

Directional Information It shows you exactly which direction the wind is blowing. For example, if the wind is blowing from the right, you will know in advance that your vehicle will tend to drift to the left. You can maintain balance and prevent a crash by "leaning" the steering wheel slightly into the wind (to the right).

Warning of Sudden Changes At tunnel exits or mountain passes, a windsock that suddenly changes direction or becomes taut warns you that a "wind blast" is waiting ahead. This early warning gives you time to firm your grip and reduce speed to avoid a sudden loss of control and a subsequent crash.

Precautions and Driving Techniques

Reduce Your Speed: The force that wind exerts on a vehicle increases proportionally with the square of your speed. By slowing down, you significantly reduce the wind's power to push your vehicle off course, giving you more control to prevent a crash.
Keep Both Hands on the Wheel: To react effectively to sudden gusts or "wind blasts," a firm grip in the 9 and 3 (9-15) position is essential. This allows for immediate micro-adjustments to keep the vehicle stable and avoid a crash.
Increase Your Following Distance: Vehicles ahead of you may sway unexpectedly or lose their cargo due to high winds. Be sure to leave extra space for cyclists and motorcyclists; strong gusts can easily blow them out of their lane, potentially leading to a serious crash.
Avoid Overtaking: Refrain from overtaking unless absolutely necessary, especially when dealing with high-sided vehicles. Moving in and out of a large vehicle's "wind shadow" causes sudden aerodynamic changes and jolting, which can lead to a loss of control and a crash.
Cargo Security: If you are using roof racks or driving an open-bed vehicle, ensure all loads are tightly secured. Loose items can become dangerous projectiles in a storm, creating a major crash hazard for you and the drivers behind you.