What happens if lightning strikes a car?

Autumn is the time of the year when the amount of precipitation increases dramatically. Accordingly, there is a danger of lightning, which is very dangerous for humans. However, what happens if the car is struck by lightning while driving?

The thing is that on a road without movement, even a half-meter metal object plays the role of a lightning rod. Therefore, experts recommend that when driving in a thunderstorm, reduce the speed and, if possible, stop the car and wait for the weather to improve.

Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, and the voltage is enormous. Fortunately, there is a "Faraday cage", a kind of structure that protects a person. It takes the electrical charge and sends it to the ground. The car (unless, of course, it is a convertible) is a Faraday cage, in which case the lightning simply passes into the ground without affecting the driver or passengers.

In this case, people in the car will not be injured, but most likely the car itself will be damaged. In the best case, the lacquer coating will deteriorate at the point of the lightning strike and will require repair.

During a thunderstorm, it is very dangerous for a person to be near a car. When struck by metal, lightning can ricochet and injure a person, even fatally. Therefore, as soon as the storm begins, it is better to get into the car, rather than sit next to it.