If you find yourself caught in a severe thunder or lightning storm, these are some tips that will help keep you and your passengers safe:

1. Be sure that your tires and windshield wipers are safe for wet weather in the event that you cannot avoid driving during a storm.

2. If it is possible, avoid driving on the roads at all until the storm passes. If driving is a necessity, try to only drive shorter distances. If visibility becomes an issue, pull over to the shoulder of the road as soon as you can do so safely. Park away from trees that could potentially fall onto your vehicle and turn your emergency blinkers on so that other cars on the road can see you clearly.

3. Listen to radio stations that broadcast traffic, new, and weather conditions constantly. If you do not know of any stations dedicated to these updates specifically, turn on the radio anyway to get updates from local radio stations, even though the updates will not be quite as frequent.

4. Be sure to turn on your headlights, but avoid using your high beams.

5. Drive slowly and carefully. Decreasing your speed is important if the roads are wet because extra room is necessary to stop your car safely.

6. Be sure to keep a good amount of distance between your car and the car in front of you in the event that you need to break suddenly.

7. Even if there is a great deal of thunder and lightning, stay in your car because it is safer than being out in the open. Also, avoid contact with anything that is metal in your car and that could conduct electricity.

8. Make certain that you are signed up with a roadside assistance program that can come to your aid in the event that your vehicle breaks down during the storm leaving you stranded on the side of the road.