What are the effects of lightning on driving?
2 Answers
The effects of lightning on driving are: the vehicle may be struck by lightning. When a car is struck by lightning, the instantaneous high voltage may damage the electronic components inside the vehicle, causing the electronic devices to malfunction. Vehicles struck by lightning will show burn marks at the point of impact, and the electrical appliances and related components inside the car may be damaged. In severe cases, it can even cause spontaneous combustion. Do not make phone calls inside the car: Due to the interference from lightning, the wireless frequency of mobile phones becomes more erratic, which can easily induce accidents such as lightning strikes and device burnout. Do not turn on electronic devices inside the car: During a thunderstorm, it is best not to turn on devices such as the radio, GPS, car phone, CD player, or car Bluetooth. This is because the electromagnetic waves emitted when these devices are powered on can easily attract induced lightning, and the powerful current from the lightning can be conducted into the electronic devices, causing damage or burnout.
Encountering lightning while driving can have significant impacts. Firstly, the intense brightness of lightning can be blinding, causing temporary vision loss that may lead to accidents within seconds. I once experienced this while driving at night on the highway—a sudden flash turned everything ahead into a white blur, forcing me to slow down quickly to regain control. Secondly, vehicles contain numerous electrical wires, and a lightning strike can damage circuits, causing electronic devices to fail or even catch fire, such as dashboard malfunctions or headlight burnouts. Even worse, such weather changes often come with heavy rain and strong winds, making roads slippery and doubling the risk of tire skidding. My advice is to pull over as soon as signs of lightning appear, turn off the engine but stay inside the car—the metal body acts like a protective cage. Regularly checking the vehicle’s electrical system is also crucial to minimize risks.
