There are lots of ways for the weather to create a car accident. Most of them involve rain, sleet, or snow. However, wind can also be a factor in a car crash, especially on flat Midwestern roads like those in western Missouri, near St. Joseph.
Knowing how to minimize the risks posed by strong winds can help you prevent a car crash. Here are 4 ways to be safe on the road during high wind conditions.
Reduce Your Speed
Once of the best ways to stay safe on the road – in any weather condition – is to slow down. The wind is no exception.
Reducing your speed gives you more time to correct your vehicle, if the wind gets a hold of it and pushes it towards another lane or into the shoulder. Even an extra fraction of a second can be what is necessary to correct your driving path in time.
Know Your Vehicle’s Height and Weight
Tall cars, like SUVs, pickup trucks, or tractor trailers, will be pushed by the wind far more than short ones. This is because the extra height catches more wind, when the wind comes from the side. Additionally, light vehicles like a Prius or Smartcar, will be pushed around by the wind more than heavy ones.
Knowing what you drive will help you predict how much the wind will impact your driving. If you drive a tall, light vehicle, like a tractor trailer with an empty trailer, you will have trouble keeping it under control and will risk causing a truck accident. If you drive a low-riding Mustang, though, you will have an easier time staying safe in the wind.
Give More Space to Trailers
Out of all of the vehicles and objects on the road, trailers are impacted by wind the most. They are frequently tall, not very aerodynamic, and are relatively light, making them catch the wind more than other vehicles on the highway. They are also only attached to the vehicle pulling them with a hitch, allowing them to swing and sway on the road.
Increasing your following distance and giving trailers a wide berth if you choose to pass one can help prevent getting hit, if the wind pushes it into your lane.
Reduce Distractions
When the winds are high, all of the cars on the road will dominate their own lane, and can quickly veer from one lane into another. Paying close attention to your surroundings is the best way to see the danger coming and take the necessary precautions to avoid a collision. It will also reduce the other risks associated with distracted driving.
St. Joseph Car Accident Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
If you do get into a car accident that happened because of the wind, it does not necessarily mean that it was not the other driver’s fault. If they were driving in a way that was unreasonably risky for the dangers of the windy conditions, they could be liable for your injuries. Reach out to the car accident and personal injury attorneys at the Smith Law Office in St. Joseph: (816) 875-9373 or contact us online.