7 Safety Tips for Driving on a Windy Day

It's no secret that driving in wet, snowy, or icy conditions can be dangerous. However, one weather condition that motorists often overlook as a driving hazard is high winds. According to a Weather.gov report, high winds have contributed to roughly 50 deaths per year since 2016. This is because high winds and strong gusts make it difficult to handle and maneuver a vehicle safely. Strong winds can also cause rollover accidents for large vehicles, such as trucks, campers, and trailers.

Fortunately, there are some practical safe driving tips that all motorists can follow to keep themselves and others out of danger when the wind kicks up.

1) Check the Weather Report before Leaving

The best way to avoid an accident caused by high winds is to avoid driving in high winds altogether. This begins with checking the weather forecast before your planned trip. When looking at weather bulletins, or checking your weather app, be on the lookout not only for chances of heavy rain or snow but also for other manifestations of severe weather—such as high winds or poor visibility. It's also important to look for weather advisories along your entire route rather than just your departure location.

Even if your route looks clear, you should check the forecast at your destination. If you're expecting windy weather when you arrive, take extra precautions to keep yourself and your property safe. This could look something like parking away from trees and power lines at your destination if possible.

Ultimately, it’s best to plan your trip to avoid bad weather whenever possible. This may mean leaving a few hours earlier or later, or even rescheduling your trip.

2) Be Extremely Cautious near High-Profile Vehicles

If you must drive in windy conditions (or if windy conditions arise without warning during your drive), there are some additional precautions you should take to keep yourself safe.

First, exercise extreme caution and practice defensive driving when traveling near any high-profile vehicles and large trucks. Avoid driving next to or closely behind a high-profile vehicle whenever possible. High-profile refers to large vehicles and/or vehicles that have tall sides. This includes large trucks and SUVs, RVs, moving vans, and cars that have containers attached. This is especially important when you're traveling on highways or freeways, as larger vehicles such as trucks and semis are prone to rollover accidents caused by high wind gusts and crosswinds.

3) Maintain a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles on the Road

Speaking of other vehicles, it's not just high-profile vehicles that you need to worry about. It's always important to maintain a safe following distance between yourself and all other motorists, but it is especially important during periods of bad weather, including high winds.

In ideal weather conditions, allow at least three seconds of following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. In adverse conditions, such as periods of high wind, you should extend that following distance to at least five to eight seconds. This allows you more time to react or brake if a vehicle in front of you loses control due to a wind gust or if another weather-related accident occurs in front of you.

4) Reduce Speeds and Drive Slower Than the Posted Speed Limit

The faster your vehicle is traveling, the more affected it will be by high winds and sudden gusts. With this in mind, it's important to reduce your speed and potentially travel even slower than the posted speed limit during periods of high winds. This is especially true if you're driving on the highway, where the higher speed limits can potentially make high winds even more dangerous.

If you car is hit by sudden gusts of wind, reducing your speed can make it easier for you to handle your vehicle and will allow you more time to react. This, in turn, reduces your chances of losing control of your vehicle. When reducing your speed below the posted limit, it's also a good idea to move to the right lane (if you aren’t already in it).

5) Keep a Firm Grip on the Steering Wheel

It's always important to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel while you're driving, but this safety tip is vital when you're experiencing high winds. Avoid taking even one hand off the wheel to adjust your climate control or radio while driving through high winds. Unfortunately, all it takes is one sudden gust to create a very dangerous situation. With both hands on the wheel at all times, you can react quickly and solidly in the event that your vehicle is hit by a heavy wind gust. This tip is especially relevant for new drivers and teen drivers, who may be more prone to distractions while behind the wheel.

6) Don’t Overcorrect If You Get Knocked off Course by a Gust

One of the biggest mistakes drivers make when driving in windy conditions is overcorrecting when their vehicles are affected by wind gusts. For example, a sudden gust may cause your car to veer left out of its lane. As a result, you panic and quickly turn your steering wheel back to the right in an effort to get your vehicle back in the correct lane.

Unfortunately, this sudden overcorrection can actually cause you to lose control of your vehicle, especially if the wind makes another sudden shift in direction or speed. Rather than making drastic corrections to your vehicle during periods of high wind, it's best to take things slow and steady whenever safely possible.

Drivers should be especially prepared to make gentle corrections to their vehicles—like reducing their speed or turning the wheel periodically to keep straight —while driving through areas where sudden crosswinds are common, such as bridges, freeway overpasses, and areas of road between tunnels.

7) If It’s Too Dangerous, Pull Over and Wait for Conditions to Improve

As eager as you may be to get to your destination, remember that it's always best to pull over and wait out adverse weather if road conditions are getting too dicey. If you decide to pull off the road, just make sure to find a safe place to do so. Avoid pulling off onto a busy freeway shoulder (if you have another option), as this could put your safety at risk if another vehicle loses control and hits yours.

Ideally, you should pull off the highway entirely and wait out bad weather in a parking lot or on a quiet side street. From there, you can keep an eye on the weather using free apps on your phone. Once there is a break in the wind, you can get back on the road with greater confidence.

Enjoy Added Peace of Mind behind the Wheel with Clearcover

Fighting your way through high winds can be stressful, which is why it's best to avoid driving in windy weather whenever possible. If you do find yourself behind the wheel during high winds, keep these safety tips in mind to protect yourself and others. In the meantime, enjoy a little extra peace of mind in the driver's seat knowing you’re protected with the auto insurance coverage that’s right for you. Clearcover is here to help you get a perfect-fit policy you'll never second-guess. Get a free, no-obligation quote with Clearcover today!