Am I safe from lightning when Im running around the track during a thunderstorm?
Am I safe from lightning when I'm in my car?
WHY or why not, thanks
2006-09-08 14:32:29 · 14 answers · asked by surfinthedesert 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
According to Storm Data, a National Weather Service publication, over the last 30 years the U.S. has averaged 66 reported lightning fatalities per year. Due to under reporting, the figures are more realistically at least 70 deaths per year. Only about 10% of people who are struck by lightning are killed, leaving 90% with various degrees of disability.
ODDS OF BECOMING A LIGHTNING VICTIM
U.S. 2000 Census population 280,000,000
Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (reported deaths + injuries) 1/700,000
Odds of being struck by lightning in a given year (estimated total deaths + injuries) 1/400,000
Odds of being struck in your lifetime (Est. 80 years) 1/5000
Odds you will be affected by someone being struck (Ten people affected for every one struck) 1/500
2006-09-08 14:35:00 · answer #1 · answered by Bear Naked 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although lightning strikes the highest point, that's only the highest point NEAR the lightning. It could be that you, or your car, happens to be the highest point at that time. I would stay off the track in a thunderstorm, but cars being struck by lighting is rare. However, you are 13 times more likely to be struck by lightning that winning the Powerball Lottery.
2006-09-08 21:36:13 · answer #2 · answered by TrainerMan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your not safe running around a track in a thunderstorm because there is nothing protecting you, especially if you are the highest target in a flat area, lightening strikes tall, high objects. In your car you are safe because you are not touching the ground. Your rubber tires are. Rubber is an insulator not a conductor.
2006-09-09 11:55:08 · answer #3 · answered by T M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes and no. If you're enough of an *** to run in circles in a thunderstorm, you deserve to be struck by lightning. On the other hand, your car has a tank filled, at least partially, with gasoline. And 6 inches of rubber aint gonna stop a jillion volts from incinerating your ***, either. You do the math.
2006-09-08 21:39:08 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny P 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are safe from lightning unless you run around with a 12 foot long metal pole!
2006-09-12 10:52:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a fast low-crawl around the track; your exposure will be limited to a lightning strike. Don't carry your car keys in a pocket either.
2006-09-08 21:39:57 · answer #6 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
running is okay if only one foot on the ground at a time- so dont slow down- but you can still be struck. You are safer in the car with rubber tires- just dont touch anything metal in the car. No one is ever safe- you never know when you are going to go.
2006-09-08 21:36:13 · answer #7 · answered by bearklektor 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is safer than being outside of course because the car acts like Faraday cage. But it is not 100% safe depending on the type and power of the storm.
2006-09-09 06:10:17 · answer #8 · answered by reza 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are not safe because lightning hits the highest thing in the sky so thats why i say no
2006-09-08 21:36:19 · answer #9 · answered by ssbbrulz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dnt worry ur safe
there many metallic thing around u
lightening will pass through them.
2006-09-08 21:39:55 · answer #10 · answered by rav 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋