Is it possible to be struck by lightening while driving in a car? I have been told that the rubber tires makes the car a poor target as the lightening is seeking the ground. Is that true?

What-A-Mess

To complete a circuit an insulator can not be in the equation/circuit. Rubber tires are an insulator. A great insulator. As good or better than the plastic that sourrounds the wiring in your house. But..... As you may have experienced, static can build in the body of your car from the tire friction. This electrical charge is transmitted from the tires to the rims to the axels to the body. Ever been shocked while exiting your car? It is this that I speak of. This same transferance can be reciprocated in the reverse direction. Body to tires through a lightning hit. Cars can be struck by lightning but not statistically probable. Check this out..... http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00189.htm http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00189.htm Jul 13 06, 10:23 PM

zbeckabee

"My fiancé and I were driving on a rural highway in Texas during a rainstorm when very suddenly, with no warning, our car was struck by lightning. The sound was unbelievable – like a bomb went off in our car – and our ears rang for a minute or so. We immediately saw and smelled smoke,so we pulled the car over for fear the engine was on fire. We soon discovered that the lightning had burned out the engine or the computer (the car is still in the shop and we're awaiting the prognosis), the right, rear tire was ripped open in a right angle, and a plastic windshield visor was completely shattered. (The smoke was from the smoldering tire.) But we were perfectly fine. It was so fascinating. I'd always heard that a person is safest in the car, but I thought the rubber tires prevented you from being struck. The truth is, you CAN get struck by lightning in the car, but the metal shell protects you by conducting the electricity away from you." http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/askjack/walightn.htm Jul 13 06, 10:29 PM

Lilady

It is true and possible to be struck by lightening while driving in a car. However, statistics prove, that being in a car during a lightning storm is your safest bet. In reality, lightning can strike most anything. Damage may be worse in some case scenarios than others. But it's still should be respected regardless. Jul 14 06, 12:13 AM

Arpeggionist

I suppose one stands as much chance of being struck by lightning in a car with rubber tires as one has of being struck while standing outside in rubber-soled shoes. The electrical working of a car might even make it a better target for lightning. If I were ever in a lightning storm and had the option of staying in the car or getting out for a short while and just standing, I'd get out. Jul 14 06, 1:50 AM

dutch_frank_65

A car can be hit by lightening, the rubber tires do not insulate against that. Air is also an insulator, the lightening does not really care about the rubber tire which even has a steel wiring in it. The electrical potention is far higher that the rubber could insulate. The only statement you could make is that the change of a car without rubber being hit be lightening is slightly higer than a car with rubber because a cloud to ground lightening is preceded ba a smal positive streamers which start of from grounded objects in search of a negative cloud discharge. This rubber isolation effect is not very high though. What keeps you safe in a car is the "Faraday cage" which means there is no difference of electrical potential inside the cage itself so no current can flow through you. It will flow through the chassis of the car evenly. So in a lighteningstorm you better stay inside the car! Keeps you dry too. Jul 14 06, 5:00 AM

What-A-Mess

The path of least resistance. Car body to tires to ground. Jul 14 06, 5:32 AM

Baloo55th

If you're daft enough to be out in a convertible with the roof down, yes. Jul 14 06, 5:44 AM

Allergic2Life

The big advantage to being in a car during a lightning storm is that you can drive quickly to a building to enter which is the most safe to be. If a person chooses to get out of a car during the lightning then they will get drenched by rain. Jul 14 06, 10:28 AM

Beeker75

Very informative. Thnx, guys! Jul 14 06, 12:34 PM

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