Spring is well and truly underway and summer’s just around the corner. But the often unpredictable nature of British summertime may mean we haven’t quite seen the back of the windy weather and sudden intense downpours just yet… In windy weather, the RAC recommend all motorists should consider whether a journey is really necessary and should only travel where there is no other option, listening out for local news bulletins to keep up to date with any road closures. But as wheelchair-accessible vehicles tend to be higher-sided, strong gusts can pose even more of a risk and make driving trickier.At Lewis Reed, we’re dedicated to designing and delivering the best wheelchair accessible vehicles on the market, tailored to the needs of unique requirements of our customer. But our duty of care doesn’t just stop when you drive your vehicle away – we want you to enjoy your driving experience and stay safe on the roads.So, if you’re out and about and conditions become increasingly gusty and difficult to cope with, find a safe place to pull over and contact a family member or friend to let them know where you are.
The RAC recommend the following measures should always be taken when driving in strong wind:
1. Plan your journey before setting out, selecting more sheltered routes with less exposure to the weather if possible;
2. Slow down when driving through gusts as high winds can get under a car and affect its handling and braking significantly;
3. Be prepared when driving in exposed areas as vehicles could be hit by sudden gusts of wind;
4. Be very careful when overtaking high-sided vehicles such as trucks, lorries and buses – driving past large vehicles can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear;
5. Hold the steering wheel firmly. Strong winds are not constant; they’re usually gusty and can catch you off guard;
6. Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual as they can be affected much more easily by side winds;
7. Watch what is happening to other vehicles, especially if they appear to be blown off course;
8. Keep extra distance between you and the car in front – consider increasing the two-second rule to three seconds;
9. Park your car in a safe place, avoiding parking under trees or too close to buildings – this will decrease the risk of damage to the vehicle and will make getting in and out safer and easier.
10. Stay vigilant of potentially hazardous objects and situations such as vehicles towing caravans, crossing high exposed bridges, debris on the road, or using top or roof boxes which increases susceptibility to cross-winds.
We are the definitive wheelchair accessible vehicle provider, dedicated to developing the finest wheelchair accessible vehicles on the market. If you want to find out more – get in touch.
Lewis Reed Group
With over 20 years experience producing and selling wheelchair accessible vehicles in the UK, you can be sure that we can offer excellent customer service with a level of knowledge that is completely unrivalled.