A DRIVING expert has dished out their top tips for staying safe whilst driving in the extreme weather currently rocking the UK.
Storm Eowyn dropped a “weather bomb” on the country on Friday, with the Met Office clocking the highest wind speed ever recorded in Ireland of 114 mph.
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The AA has warned drivers to stay off the road, but one man tragically died in Donegal after a tree smashed down on his car.
Lots of other cars have been damaged in the chaos, but thankfully without drivers inside.
Vicky Folland, a professional driving instructor and “test nerves specialist”, shared her golden advice for driving in these dangerous conditions.
She acknowledged that “driving in the wind can be potentially scary and quite dangerous”.
Her first piece of advice is to check the weather carefully so you know what to expect, and consider whether the trip is absolutely necessary.
If you absolutely must venture out in the car during the storm, there are some steps you can take to keep yourself as safe as possible.
If the wind picks up suddenly whilst you are driving, Vicky says: “Make sure you keep a firm grip on the wheel.”
She also suggests slowing down to reduce the risk of being blown around: “You’re less likely to get caught in a gust of wind if you’re driving a little bit slower,” she says.
Vicky warned that motorists must be particularly wary around high-sided vehicles, as they are more likely to “buffer about” and sway in the gale.
It is also important to take care around lighter road-users, like those on motorbikes or bicycles, because they are more at risk of being blown off course.
She said it is important to leave more space than usual between you and the car in front, so that you have more time to react to anything going wrong.
The driving instructor said: “Allow extra space when you’re overtaking.”
She added: “Be careful for sudden gusts and sidewinds,” and urged drivers to keep their eyes peeled for trees and debris littering the road.
She further mentions that driving tests may be cancelled during a storm, advising: “If you’re unsure, phone your test centre. Fingers cross it’ll go ahead.”
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One person recalled: “I had a lesson in Storm Babet I think it was. It was horrific, the car was rocking.”
Another commented on their first experience driving in wind: “First time driving in wind this afternoon and was a little scary but I just slowed down and tried to keep calm.”
Chris Wood, AA patrol of the year, warns: “As the warning has risen from amber to red in the most northern and western areas of the UK, we urge drivers to consider whether their journey is necessary and if not postpone it.
“If you do need to travel, make sure you’re prepared for what you may encounter.
“Expect to come across fallen branches and other debris on the roads, especially in rural areas.”
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