Is it safe to drive in thunder and lightning?

TAKING extra precautions is advisable when you have no choice but to drive during extreme conditions.

Here we take an in-depth look at how to maximise your safety while driving through bad weather.

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Is driving safe during a thunderstorm?

Driving in any extreme weather is not a good idea.

When travelling in a thunderstorm there is a risk of sudden gusty winds and heavy rain.

The vehicles most at risk in adverse conditions include bicycles, motorcycles and high-sided vehicles such as lorries, vans and trailers.

Weather conditions can make driving more dangerous due to hazards such as flooded, icy or muddy roads, as well as streets becoming blocked by debris.

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It is also vital that you keep your speed down in wet and windy conditions as reducing your speed will lower the distance you travel when pushed around by the wind.

Heavy rain will restrict your visibility, so your windshield wipers and headlights are a necessity.

Make sure you don’t drive too closely to other road users as it is harder to slow down and stop in these conditions.

If you are caught out and about in thunder and lightning the Met Office advises that you pull off to the side of the road in a safe manner, turn on the hazard lights, turn off the engine, put your hands in your lap and wait out the storm.

Drivers are advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling, and to always be prepared.

Experts at BigWantsYourCar.com revealed their top tips for staying safe in precarious motoring conditions — with the golden rule being to always ask yourself whether a trip is absolutely necessary.

The experts said: “You should also consider keeping an emergency kit in your car when going out in a storm.

“Items like blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit can be a lifesaver if you end up stuck somewhere.”

The experts added: “It is always better to be safe than sorry when driving in a storm.

“Your safety and that of other drivers is worth more than any appointment or deadline.”

Perhaps the most important tip for driving in stormy weather is to make sure tyres are properly maintained.

Car expert and CEO of BigWantsYourCar, Peter Waddell, said: “Properly maintained tyres are your best friends when it comes to driving in a storm.

“Check your tyre tread and pressure regularly, and make sure they’re in top condition. This will give you the traction you need to drive through slippery roads safely.

“For a quick test of your tyre depth, get a 20p coin and place it in the main tread grooves of your tyre.

“If the tyre covers most of that outer edge of the coin, then it is above the legal depth limit.

“If the outer edge is mostly visible, then your tyres don’t have enough tread depth and will need replacing as soon as possible.

“We’d also recommend you don’t go out on the road with tyres in poor condition during wet conditions, as they won’t be able to displace water enough, resulting in ‘aquaplaning’ and a loss of control over your car.”

Is it safe to be in a car during a thunderstorm?

Some people are under the impression that due to having rubber types in a car, you are safe.

However, this is not correct.

You’re actually safe in a car because the lightning will travel around the surface of the vehicle and then go to the ground.

What happens if a car is struck by lightning?

The majority of cars are made with a metal roof and frame.

This means the frame acts as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers inside and on to the ground.

But this isn’t to say that damage can’t be caused both internally and externally by a lightning strike.

What is a Faraday cage?

A Faraday cage is a metal cage that shields objects inside when hit by a high potential discharge, like lightning.

British physicist Michael Faraday created the concept after finding that a metal cage, being a good conductor, would direct the current around the objects and discharge it safely into the ground.

This process of shielding is often used today.