New research has pinpointed the most hazardous roads in the United Kingdom for van drivers to navigate during periods of strong winds. The study highlights how high winds pose a particular threat to vans due to their large surface area and often lighter rear loads, which can lead to a loss of control.
Expert Analysis of Wind Danger on Roads
Insurance comparison service MoneySuperMarket collaborated with expert meteorologist Jim Dale from British Weather Services to compile the list. Jim Dale explained the specific wind speeds that create dangerous driving conditions. Once winds exceed 39mph and approach 46mph (gale force), the situation becomes hazardous, with the potential for twigs and branches to break from trees and drivers facing significant instability.
He further warned that if wind velocity increases into the range of 47mph to 73mph, conditions escalate into Amber and Red travel warning territory, presenting a severe safety risk to all road users, especially those in high-sided vehicles.
The Full List of High-Risk Routes
The research identified several key roads across the country that are especially treacherous in windy weather. The list includes major motorways, high-level passes, and exposed coastal routes.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous UK Roads In High Winds are:
- M62 running from Greater Manchester into West Yorkshire
- M4/M5 Severn Estuary Crossings
- M90 Firth of Forth on the Forth Road Bridge
- M6 running between Cumbria and the Northern Pennines
- B3081 between Cann Common in Dorset and Tollard Row in Wiltshire, which includes the notorious Zig Zag Hill
- M74 approximately 10km Southeast of Glasgow
- B869 in the Northwest Highlands
- A9 running from Perth to Thurso through the heights of the Highlands
- A57 Snake Pass
- B5289 Honister Pass, running between Borrowdale and Buttermere in the Lake District
Specific Dangers and Geographical Hotspots
The list reveals that danger is not confined to one region. Notably, two roads in the Birmingham area, the M6 and the M5 connecting to the Severn crossings, are highlighted for their vulnerability. Other high-risk areas include exposed motorways in the North of England, such as the M62 and M74, and the famously challenging highland routes of Scotland like the A9 and A57 Snake Pass.
Jim Dale's analysis serves as a crucial reminder for all drivers, particularly those operating vans, lorries, or caravans, to check weather warnings before travelling. Planning journeys to avoid these specific routes during named storms or severe gale warnings could be a vital safety decision.
