How To Survive A Storm While Stuck In Your Car

 

Unexpected weather can surprise you when traveling. Even if you are an excellent driver, heavy rains, hail and lightning can create dangerous and frightening conditions.

These will keep you safe in the face of fast-changing weather conditions on the road.

1. Get off the road if the visibility is poor

If you drive into a rain or hail shower, you are likely to lose visibility. If this is the case, pull off the road in a safe place. If you can drive quickly and safely to a nearby covered area. For example, to a highway overpass or gas station, go there.

B. Do not park under trees or other

Tall objects, such as telephone poles, as they may be overturned by strong winds.

Once parked, turn off the engine of your car and turn on the hazard warning lights. Apply the parking brake and make sure all other lights are off. This prevents other drivers from confusing their taillights and brake lights with those of other moving vehicles.

If it hails, turn away from the car windows and cover your eyes, ideally with a blanket, jacket or other clothing to protect against splintering glass. If you can, lie on the floor of the car with small children. Apart from that, lie face down on the seat and turn your back to the windows.

2. Remain in the car during lightning and thunder

If you leave the road during a thunderstorm, stay in your car unless you can very quickly enter a building. It’s much safer to sit in a metal car than to go outside. When your car is hit by lightning, the electric current flows through the metal cage of your vehicle into the ground.

However, the lightning can still penetrate through your car’s electrical system and all metal parts. Do not touch metal parts or the radio, or use a mobile phone or a car-connected device. Keep your hands in your lap until the thunderstorm is over.

3. Do not drive into a flash flood

Flash floods occur quickly, but they do permanent damage. If you know that your region is under a flash flood warning, it’s best to leave the road immediately and stay inside until you know it’s okay to be outside again.

However, if you can not get in immediately and the road in front of you is covered with stagnant water, contact. Do not try to drive through the water, even if it looks like you could. Only one to two feet of water can float most cars.

If you are trapped in a car that is overrun by floods or fast flowing waters, do not panic. The car will probably stop and move with the water. So you have to get off fast, so you will not be swept away by car or sink. Follow these steps as calmly as possible to get out safely:

First, unfasten your seat belt and instruct all children in the car to do the same.Open a window. If you can not lock the windows, use an escape tool, an umbrella, or a sharp object to break the glass. Swim out and get to safety as fast as possible.