Given the volume and surface area of a truck, from which wind direction does the greatest driving risk arise?

Question

DentroTest · Accepted Answer

Crosswind is the most dangerous when driving heavy vehicles because of the so-called sail effect. With panels or boxes of large surface area, the truck offers enormous resistance to transverse air; unexpected gusts can push the vehicle off its path, move it into the opposite lane or onto the shoulder, and even cause it to roll over. For its part, a headwind mainly increases resistance to forward motion and fuel consumption, and a tailwind reduces engine braking and lengthens braking, but neither of them compromises directional stability as critically as crosswind does.

Given the volume and surface area of a truck, from which wind direction does the greatest driving risk arise?

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