This in for the Police, in their own words. Ed
With high winds reported across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight overnight and today, drivers are reminded to exercise caution when out on the roads.
High winds can cause you to be blown off course, other cars to be blown into your path or blow debris into the road such as trees or branches.
Keep hands firmly on the wheel
When driving in high winds keep both hands firmly on the wheel. Drivers should also anticipate buffeting by the wind and the slip stream from passing vehicles, especially high-sided vehicles such as vans or lorries.
Drivers should slow their speed as the faster the vehicle is travelling the more likely it is to drift off course in a sudden gust. Drivers of high-sided vehicles, motor homes or cars towing caravans should be especially vigilant.
Keep a safe distance
Motorists should maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and take particular care around motorcyclists, cyclists – and in more rural areas, horse-riders.
If your vehicle breaks down on the motorway, be mindful that larger vehicles travelling along the inside lane could be blown onto the hard shoulder. Drivers and passengers should stand in a safe location away from the vehicle rather than wait in their car for recovery.
Watch out for branches on roads
High winds overnight have left trees and branches across some roads so drivers should exercise caution, especially on rural roads. Hitting large debris at speed could cause fatalities so drivers should take care when approaching bends as they do not know what could be beyond the corner.
If you have to drive in high winds, plan your journey carefully, allow extra time for travel and check weather and traffic bulletins regularly.
Image: Andrew Kalat under CC BY 2.0
