Severe weather warning for drivers

Following the deaths of a young woman driver in Hexham, Northumberland and a 36-year-old man from Scotland, motorists are being warned that high winds can cause extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Both drivers died when trees fell onto their cars during the unusually high winds for the time.

Meteorologists said that parts of Scotland had suffered gusts of up to 114 mph in the storms, while gusts of around 65mph were felt in Yorkshire.

Michael Dukes, Forecast Manager for Meteogroup, said, “The high winds that have been battering Scotland, Ireland and the far north of England today are about as strong as you ever get in late May.

"These wind speeds would be noteworthy in midwinter, but for them to occur in late spring is really most unusual.

"Indeed, with trees in full leaf, winds of this strength can cause a great deal of problems as trees can be more readily toppled."

And I have to say that as I drove my little Fiat down the leafy lanes along the South Coast recently I did wonder how safe it was to be driving under the bending boughs which seemed so noisy above me.

So, our advice is, if it’s windy out, don’t drive unless you have to, and if your journey is urgent, be aware of overhanging trees – maybe plan a route which does not go through forested areas, or at the very least be vigilant when driving under trees in high winds.

Stay safe whenever you drive – weather kills!

Labels: young woman driver