Britain is being battered by wintery weather today as Storm Noa prepares to strike, bringing predicted gusts of up to 70mph and lashings of rain which are only set to get worse as Wednesday continues.
Devon and Cornwall are likely to be worst affected by the weather with issues in Wales too as parts of the M4 and the old Severn Bridge were closed, and yellow weather warnings have also been extended to the south-east of England as the storm is set to migrate over the course of the day.
If you're planning on taking your car anywhere in high winds today, then one driving safety expert has some important advice for you - and it means keeping an eye on your speed.
Gary Digva, road safety expert and owner of Road Angel, said windy weather is not the time to be driving dead on the speed limit, as keeping your distance from other vehicles is paramount when a sudden gust could sway your car without warning.
He told The Mirror: "It's essential for all drivers to take extra care during windy weather as it can be highly unsafe. It can be easy for motorists to underestimate the potential dangers that windy weather can cause, so they should drive cautiously because gusts can catch drivers by surprise.
"There are a few simple steps drivers should take to protect themselves, including travelling at a slower speed so they have plenty of space and time to react appropriately.
"The wind can affect handling and breaking, especially when there are strong gusts, so slowing down will reduce the effect this has on the vehicle.
"Driving slower will also help with reaction times in case there are hazards in the road, like a fallen tree or debris, caused by strong winds."
The expert also suggested keeping your travel alerts on so you can be notified immediately of any hazards on the road, which will let you change your route without coming across the danger yourself.
And you should also "remain vigilant", as gusts can cause your vehicle or someone else's to swerve.
Gary added: "Remain vigilant with a tight grip on the wheel at all times because sudden gusts can cause vehicles to swerve off course. Motorcyclists should be extremely cautious when riding in strong winds because an enormous gust can knock a rider a foot or two sideways. Steering into the direction of the wind gently helps to counteract this.
"Drivers of high-sided vehicles such as lorries should plan their route to avoid exposed roads when the wind really picks up as a strong wind hitting the larger vehicle surface area from the side will push the vehicle across the road.
"When the weather is windy, drivers should maintain a significant, safe distance from the car before them and avoid overtaking. Most importantly, If the windy conditions get too unsafe, drivers should be proactive and pull over until the situation has improved.
"We're urging all motorists to follow our advice to protect themselves and their vehicles while the weather is windy."
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