Driving in a thunderstorm or strong wind: What to do to stay safe?

Slow down, keep a steady hand on the wheel

When the sky begins to turn dark, the wind blows strongly and the temperature drops rapidly, the driver needs to immediately recognize that this is a sign of an impending storm. The first thing to do is to reduce speed, to a safe level of about 20-30 km/h depending on the terrain. Do not continue to move at high speed because strong gusts of wind can cause the vehicle to veer off course, especially with SUVs and pickup trucks with high bodies and high centers of gravity.

In conditions where visibility is limited by rain, dust or flying leaves, drivers should turn on their low beams and hazard lights to make themselves more visible to surrounding vehicles. Drivers should also keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoiding sharp turns or sudden lane changes. On open roads, overpasses or large bridges such as Nhat Tan and Vinh Tuy, where the wind is often stronger, controlling the vehicle's direction becomes more important than ever.

Don't try to "weather the storm"

Many drivers have the mentality of “speeding to escape the wind and rain”, but this is a potentially risky mistake. In bad weather conditions, unexpected factors such as objects being blown away, trees breaking, electric poles falling or motorcyclists falling in the middle of the road can completely happen. If the wind feels too strong, the vehicle is shaking a lot, the driver should proactively find a safe place to stop.

However, not all places are safe to park. Avoid places under large trees, billboards, metal roofs, electric poles or transformer stations. These are areas where accidents such as falling trees or falling objects can easily occur in strong winds. Safer places might be covered parking lots, gas stations, shopping malls or a street corner with a wide, high and open sidewalk.

When stopping, turn on the hazard lights, apply the handbrake and close all the windows. If there are children or elderly people in the car, open a small vent for ventilation if the stop is long. However, you should never leave the car when it is still dangerous outside.

Don't drive while filming or livestreaming storms.

Another common problem in the age of social media is drivers filming and livestreaming storms while driving. This not only causes distraction but also prevents the driver from reacting in time when unexpected situations arise. When weather conditions are getting worse, the person behind the wheel needs to prioritize observation, handling and risk prevention.

If you really need to check the weather, do so only when you are completely stopped in a safe place. Using your phone while driving, especially in an emergency, can lead to serious consequences.

Check your car after driving through a thunderstorm

Once the weather has stabilized, drivers should do a quick check of the vehicle’s condition. Strong winds can cause mirrors to come loose, bumpers to fall off, license plates to fall off, glass to break, or wipers to malfunction. Also check the tire surfaces and under the vehicle if there are many fallen trees or rocks.

For electric and hybrid vehicles, special attention should be paid if the vehicle has been through areas with heavy rain and light flooding. In case of detecting a burning smell, abnormally lit warning lights or unstable driving feeling, the vehicle should be taken to the garage for a detailed inspection of the electrical system and battery.

No trip is more important than the safety of the passengers. In a storm, it is not about getting home a few minutes early, but about getting there in one piece. With the weather becoming increasingly extreme and unpredictable, drivers need to equip themselves not only with the knowledge to drive safely in the rain and floods, but also the skills to handle strong winds and storms.