Tips for Texas Drivers on Windy Days

Yesterday, West Texas saw a dust storm much like the ones captured in pictures from the Dust Bowl era. The "dry thunderstorm," as meteorologists called it, happened in Lubbock during the afternoon commute.

While no injuries were reported, several big trucks were overturned by the strong winds, which had gusts of up to 74 miles per hour. With the winds came an 8,000 foot-high rolling dust cloud that created visibility challenges for drivers. In some places, visibility was between zero and less than a quarter mile.

A similar storm happened in Phoenix earlier this summer, causing several dangerous car accidents that injured 18 people and killed a man.

Meteorologists say that with the record drought, West Texans should expect more dust storms like this, involving high winds and low visibility. These storms pose a challenge for drivers, but there are some things drivers can do to protect themselves.

5 Tips for Driving in High Winds

1. Slow down. Reducing your speed will make you less likely to drift off course if a sudden gust of wind comes along.
2. Keep both hands on the wheel. Higher winds can put you off course, particularly on open stretches of road, when passing over bridges, and when passing gaps in vegetation.
3. Be aware of high-profile vehicles and motorcycles. High winds make driving more difficult, especially for vehicles like 18 wheelers. Take care when passing high-profile vehicles, and watch out for motorcyclists who may be swept off course by the wind.
4. Avoid driving a high-profile vehicle. These include trucks, buses, recreational vehicles (RVs), and campers. Towing trailers is also especially dangerous when wind speeds are high.
5. Watch for flying debris and debris in the road. You should be driving slowly enough that you can either stop before hitting the debris or drive around the debris.

 

Tips for Driving in Low Visibility

• Use your low beam lights.
• Wait the storm out. If you can't see, pull over into a safe area and wait until visibility conditions improve.

 

Unfortunately, not all accidents are preventable. If you were injured in a car wreck and the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Van Wey Law at (214)329-1350 or (800)489-5082 to speak with an experienced Texas car wreck attorney today.