How Safe Are You in a Car During a Thunderstorm?

During the intense heat of summer, the occasional summer thunderstorm occurs. While this can be a fascinating natural spectacle for some, others may feel intimidated or even scared. What should drivers, campers, and cyclists specifically keep in mind now?

Lightning strikes on cars are "extremely rare" in reality despite all fears, notes the ADAC on its website. And if they do occur, a strike is usually harmless. However, thunderstorms are not risk-free for all road users.

The most important thing first: According to ADAC, passengers in a normal car are well protected against lightning strikes. The car's body forms what is known as a Faraday cage. This means that the electrical discharge is directed around the occupants in the event of a strike. However, windows and any sunroofs should be closed during thunderstorms, and all antennas should be retracted as far as possible.

How safe am I in my convertible?

There is no increased risk even in a closed convertible, notes the club on its website. This is because almost every roof construction has metal bars that divert an impact. Also, windscreen frames, roll bars, and roof mechanisms act accordingly.

If lightning does strike, damage such as burn marks on the convertible top or on the paintwork can occur. The ADAC also advises checking the tires for puncture points or other damage.

The danger usually does not come from the thunderstorm itself

To further minimize the risk in the car, one should avoid choosing elevated spots for parking when a thunderstorm is imminent or already occurring. During a thunderstorm, the greatest danger for drivers mainly comes from side effects like poor visibility, rain, hail, gusty winds, aquaplaning, broken branches, and other obstacles on the road, according to the auto club.

Even if a lightning strike is not a major risk in the car, one can be momentarily blinded by bright flashes while driving. This increases the risk of, for example, veering off the road or overlooking other road users.

How safe are motorhomes and caravans?

According to the ADAC, camping vehicles with plastic structures without metal frames or meshes in the exterior walls do not have a Faraday cage – and therefore no protection against lightning strikes. Here, the ADAC recommends staying in a crouched position, close to the floor, in the center of the vehicle during a thunderstorm. In a motorhome, the driver's cab is usually the safest place.

There are no issues with vehicles that have a metal skin of at least 0.5 millimeters thick aluminum. However, these and other metal parts must be conductively connected to the vehicle frame. According to the ADAC, the following rules apply to recreational vehicles when a thunderstorm approaches:

• close open windows, doors, and pop-up roofs
• do not wash dishes or take a shower
• unplug 230-volt cables outside the vehicle to protect against overvoltage
• do not touch any metallic parts of the interior
• keep your head as far away from the roof area as possible
• retract the extendable antenna
• do not get in or out – to protect against possible step voltage after nearby strikes

Be cautious with motorhomes and caravans with lift or pop-up roofs made of plastic: The roof cutout creates a gap in the Faraday cage. Therefore, it is better to close everything and avoid coming into contact with the roof area with your head.