Is it safe to drive in heavy rain and thunder?

The Northern region has entered the rainy and stormy season and the heavy rains and thunderstorms have made many people feel worried, especially since there have been recent deaths due to lightning strikes in Thanh Hoa and Thai Binh while riding motorbikes on the road.

According to data from the National Hydrometeorological Network Center (National Hydrometeorological Department) in the Hanoi area, this morning, June 5, there were about 7,025 lightning strikes on the ground.

From 6-7am, the monitoring agency recorded 3,513 lightning strikes, of which 2,322 struck the ground.

From 7-8am, there were 4,060 lightning strikes, of which 2,855 struck the ground.

From 8-9am, there were 2,642 lightning strikes, of which 1,848 struck the ground.

This is the time of high traffic density, people take to the streets to drive motorbikes and cars to work.

Many people are concerned that sitting in a car during a thunderstorm is unsafe and can be life-threatening.

However, in reality, cars are considered one of the safest shelters for people during thunderstorms and lightning.

In June 2021, a family of five was traveling in a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Waverly, Kansas, USA, when it was raining and was suddenly struck by a series of lightning bolts. The car lost power immediately, but all passengers were safe and uninjured.

According to auto experts, the reason people sitting in cars are not struck by lightning is because the metal frame of the car conducts electricity around the people sitting in the car, similar to the Faraday cage principle.

The principle of operation of the Faraday cage is that if an electric current is discharged into the iron cage (with a total electromagnetic field of 0), it will go around the cage due to the low resistance of the cage, causing people or objects in the cage to not be electrically transmitted. Because the structure of the car includes a metal frame that will be like an iron cage, along with the wrapping, soundproofing, and seats that will help create a thick layer of protection against the external electric field. If lightning strikes, this current will go around the cage and the people inside are almost safe and unaffected.

However, with convertibles or sunroofs that do not close completely, the ability to protect people will be reduced because this "Faraday cage" is not completely sealed.

However, to ensure the safety of people inside the car, experts also give some notes for everyone when traveling in stormy weather conditions.

The first thing the driver should do is pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine and avoid touching any metal parts. In addition, the person sitting in the car should not open the car window or stick their hands out, and it is best to just put their hands on their thighs. In addition, the person sitting in the car is also advised to turn off all electronic devices such as phones or tablets.

If you have to move, you should pay attention to driving at low speed. This not only helps limit wind force but also makes it easier for the driver to handle emergency situations. For example, if you are struck by lightning and the electrical system on the car suddenly turns off, it will still be easier to handle at low speed than when driving fast.

According to expert Nguyen Van Long, a former employee of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the thunderstorm season in Vietnam lasts from April to September. "During the thunderstorm season, lightning can strike anywhere, so not only large structures but also small houses and vehicles on the road are at risk of being struck by lightning. Therefore, people, especially motorcyclists, should limit going out on the road when it rains with thunder and lightning," said Mr. Long.