Blowin' in the wind

The other night, at a crucial point in my tv programme, the screen went black and the lights went out. At the same time wind howled through the chimney. Clearly, the season of inclement weather is upon us and unfortunately, it’s looking wilder than ever.

So although the last thing on my mind last night was getting in the car and going for a drive, sometimes you’ve just got to. Or maybe you’re already on a long journey and the weather suddenly turns. So this week, here’s my top five tips on how to drive safely in windy weather…

Be informed

As far as possible, check reports before you leave the house. Is there a massive traffic jam due to a road closure somewhere? Or is there a route you could take that would avoid going over a bridge or exposed area?

Hang tight

It sounds obvious but make sure that you have both hands firmly on the steering wheel - now is not the time to have one hand fishing about in a packet of crisps.

Keep your space

To keep yourself and others around you as safe as possible, keep your distance. Avoid being too near or overtaking high lorries or vans with trailers. And if you see any cyclists or motorcyclists on the roads remember how vulnerable they are to wind – don’t get too close.

Take your time

If the wind is really strong, gusts can get underneath your car and affect how it handles. So take your time and make sure that if this happens it won’t affect your driving. Also the faster you’re going, the further a gust of wind could push you.

Park wisely

You may be so relieved to get to your destination that you leave your car as quickly as possible. But be careful that it’s not being left near something that could suffer in high winds – think trees, telephone wires etc.