can lightning strike a car

You’re driving down the highway when the sky suddenly turns an ominous shade of grey. A summer thunderstorm is rolling in with impressive speed, and soon, brilliant flashes of lightning illuminate the horizon. As you grip the steering wheel a little tighter, a question might pop into your head: what happens if lightning hits my car? It’s a common and perfectly natural worry to have during severe weather.

So, can lightning strike a car? The straightforward answer is yes, it absolutely can. A vehicle, with its metal frame and rubber tires, is not an invisible object to a massive electrical discharge seeking the path of least resistance to the ground. However, the more important part of the answer lies in what happens next, and that’s where the news is surprisingly good.

Why You’re Safe Inside a Metal Cage

Modern vehicles with metal roofs and frames provide excellent protection through a principle called a Faraday cage. When lightning strikes the metal shell of your car, the electrical current travels along the outer surface of the vehicle and then jumps to the ground. The metal body conducts the immense energy around the sheltered interior space where you are sitting, keeping you safe. It’s crucial to note that this protective effect applies to traditional metal-bodied cars and SUVs, not convertibles or vehicles with non-conductive composite roofs.

What to Do If You’re Caught Driving in a Storm

If you find yourself on the road during a severe lightning storm, your safest course of action is to pull over and park in a safe location. Avoid touching any metal surfaces inside the car, such as door handles or the gear shift. It’s also a good idea to turn on your hazard lights and wait for the storm to pass. While your car is a relatively safe shelter, it’s not a good idea to continue driving through dangerous conditions with poor visibility and potential for falling debris.

Debunking the Myth of Rubber Tires

A common misconception is that rubber tires insulate a car from lightning. While they do provide some electrical insulation for everyday situations, they offer virtually no protection from the millions of volts in a lightning strike. The lightning easily overcomes this small resistance. Your safety comes from the conductive metal frame redirecting the current, not from the tires isolating you.

While the thought of a lightning strike is frightening, you can rest assured that your vehicle is one of the safer places you can be. By pulling over safely and waiting out the worst of the storm, you are making a smart and secure choice.