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Driving safely in storms

Blog post posted on 10/02/16 |
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Advice

#wheelsinwinter

This week’s tips from IAM RoadSmart's head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, are about driving safely in storms. As storm Imogen brings strong gusts of wind across the country, here’s how you can make your journey a safe one for the road.

  • If weather conditions are extremely bad avoid starting your journey. Take note of any weather warnings and traffic updates in your local area – this will help you make an informed decision.
  • Driving in strong winds can be extremely dangerous, unsettling your car and even pushing it to change direction. Grip the steering wheel firmly and be mindful of vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, who will need more room than usual.
  • Always look well ahead for gaps between buildings and be careful when overtaking larger vehicles – in both instances gusts might be particularly strong.
  • The movement of trees on the roadside can give a useful indication of wind strength too.
  • Be wary of debris on roads and allow yourself enough space to move around it if necessary. Driving at a steady speed will also ensure you give yourself more time to slow down before a hazard.

Richard said: “Keep an eye on the vehicles ahead of you– looking for clues as to how the wind may be affecting them will give you advanced warning of where it may be gusting strongly.

“Stormy weather can be extremely unpredictable – be prepared for the worst. And as always, avoid the journey where possible.”

 ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. Richard Gladman is IAM RoadSmart's head of driving and riding standards.
  2. IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety debates on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

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