Windy Weather Driving Tips

Heavy rain and strong winds can create dicey driving conditions. High winds on the highway can be dangerous. Winds can buffet cars traveling on highways like boats tossed about on a stormy sea.

Depending on the size, weight and design of a vehicle, a strong gust of wind can actually push a small car out of its lane. Combine wind gusts with driving rain and the challenge is even greater with hydroplaning or sliding on a film of water a real possibility. To help keep motorists safe, AAA Michigan offers the following windy weather driving tips:

• Reduce speed.
• Firmly grip the steering wheel.
• Increase space between your vehicle and others, especially vans, recreational vehicles and cars pulling trailers, all of which could be adversely affected by the wind.
• Remember, gusts of wind can be compounded by busses, trucks and other large vehicles, which can cause an additional, powerful blast of air when passing your vehicle from either direction.
• When possible, allow as much distance as safely available from a "wind- gust" vehicle by hugging the edge of the road.
• Know your vehicle—light cars, vans and other "boxy" vehicles have a tendency to be blown by strong gusts of wind.
• Drive in these conditions only when absolutely necessary.

Poor Visibility
Regardless of your driving experience, the odds are greater that you'll have a collision in wet weather. A hard rain can limit visibility. For this reason, you'll want to:

• Keep your windshield and windows clean.
• Use your defrosters to keep front and rear windshields clean.
• Replace worn wiper blades if they don't clear your windshield.
• Keep low beam headlights on at all times.

Reduced Traction
Wet roads mean poor traction. You may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Steering is sometimes preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph. In wet weather, sudden braking or hard steering often leads to skids.

• Recognize water hazards and steer around them.
• Check all lanes for other vehicles before steering around a water hazard.
• Stopping on a slippery surface requires more distance, so increase your following distance.
• Focus your attention as far ahead as possible—at least 20 to 30 seconds.

If traffic signals are out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.