Drivers of smaller cars have been urged to take care on Friday after the Met Office issued yellow, amber, and red warnings across the whole of the UK. Snow, torrential rain, and 100mph winds are forecast. Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing said: “Storm Eowyn is causing chaos across the UK ahead of this weekend with winds of up to 100mph expected in parts of the country.
“Drivers of high-sided vehicles like lorries, vans and buses have been warned about driving on exposed roads and coastal routes. But drivers in smaller passenger cars are not immune from the impacts of crosswinds either.
“All cars are susceptible to crosswinds, but the debate about which types of vehicles – large and small – are the most impacted continues to rage, with many scientific studies launched to investigate the subject. Some experts have suggested that smaller, lighter cars – such as small hatchbacks and urban city cars – are at risk of severe motorway buffeting, particularly if they have a higher, rounded shape which can expose them to sudden changes in wind direction and speed.
“If you’re a driver who owns that type of vehicle, proceed with caution when you take to the UK’s motorway network over the next few days. Yet crosswind stability also depends on many other factors, including the road surface and the car’s suspension set up.
“It’s thought that a stiffer, lower suspension – such as you see with performance sports cars with a wider footprint – can help to mitigate crosswinds because they’re less prone to the ‘lean’ you might experience as the wind blows across you. With that in mind, some modern cars can control the suspension stiffness at the touch of a button, to aid body roll in corners. It might be an idea to turn on that setting when encountering strong crosswinds on motorways.
“Meanwhile the crucial thing motorists need to know is that the impact of crosswinds increases the faster you’re travelling. If you find yourself accidentally drifting across lanes, you MUST slow down until you’re able to control the vehicle in a safe manner.
“Be sure to give larger vehicles, such as lorries or buses, extra space too. They are more susceptible to wind and may sway into adjacent lanes. Similarly, avoid switching lanes often as the change in direction of the vehicle may make the car more susceptible to big gusts of wind.
“And if you see a motorcyclist, ensure they have plenty of room, as they’re another road user who is at high risk from crosswinds.”