1st Gear
Force 6 at sea, slower on land
Wind pushes on whatever side of the motor it meets. The bigger and flatter that side, the harder the push. A trailer, a high-sided van and a full roof box all give it more to push on. Only tyre grip pushes back. Grip has a limit.
A Met Éireann small craft warning runs on the evening of the eighth of November. It covers the coast from Roche's Point to Mizen Head to Loop Head. Dublin is not in it. Small craft warnings go out when Force 6 winds are expected up to 10 nautical miles offshore. Force 6 is a mean wind of at least 22 knots. It is a marine warning. It is not a road warning. Wind on land does not wait for one.
Speed, space and open road
Garda wind advice starts with speed. Slow down. Leave more space than usual to the motor in front. Do not overtake on exposed stretches. Hold back instead. Expect cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians to be blown into the motor's path. Give them room.
High-sided vans and trucks take the worst of it. The roads north into Meath and Louth cross open country. On exposed stretches, the wind can pull hard at the steering of a high-sided van. Gardaí tell those drivers to be ready before the open stretch, not on it. For vans driven for work, see fleet driver assessments.
Towing in a cross wind
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) tells drivers with a trailer to take special care in high winds. The Authority says an uneven load makes a caravan more likely to sway. Spread the load evenly. Secure it so it cannot shift, fall or blow off. Keep the nose weight inside the limit for the motor. Nose weight is the drawbar pressing down on the towing bracket.
On a category B licence, a trailer of up to 750kg is allowed. A heavier one is allowed only if motor and trailer together stay within 3500kg. It should also have brakes. A parking brake too. A category BE licence covers a combination of up to 7000kg. A learner permit holder may not tow any trailer. Not even a small one. The licence and the towing limit are the driver's legal responsibility. Trailers, nose weight and loads have their own section under loads and towing.
Roof boxes and loads inside
The Authority allows a roof box if it suits the motor. The load in it must be firmly attached, with no chance of falling off. Bulky, light items go up top. Heavy items go inside the motor. A full roof box raises the side the wind can push on. Loose items on the seats keep moving forward when the motor brakes hard. Strap them or stow them.
Gusts come without warning. A swaying trailer drags the back of the motor sideways. Past the limit of grip, the motor goes where the wind sends it.
Learners in the area: learning in an automatic around Dublin.