2006-10-02 09:41:56 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Yes, dozens of times. Usually there is little evidence on the car, but sometimes the windshield will blow out, tires may explode, and parts of the frame may be charred or melted. Rarely the car catches on fire. I've never heard of anyone being killed in a vehicle by lightning unless they were riding in the back of a pickup. My friend's car got struck by lightning while he was driving up I-35 near Dallas. His left front tire blew out. We were also on an interstate, when we saw a car on fire. It had a huge plume of smoke. We found out later that it had been struck by lightning.
2006-10-02 09:53:52 · answer #1 · answered by Matt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, usually without serious consequences. In the case of a car, the voltage of a lightning strike is so high that the wheels have negligible insulating effect even if they're dry. Carbon is deliberately added to tyre rubber anyway to make it conducting.If a car body builds up a static charge it's a nuisance. If you're struck by lightning while driving, the current is conducted round the outside of the car body and through the tyres to Earth. You'll hear a god-awful bang, probably see a flash, and more likely than not keep on driving. Possibly the radio and electronics like GPS, ABS and fuel management systems will be damaged. A friend of mine was in a light aircraft struck by lightning. All the comms and electronic navaids were knocked out but they made a safe emergency landing.
2006-10-02 13:52:49 · answer #2 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes. 3 people died as a result. our family friend dr. x and her husband had to drive their daughter in law to the hospital as she was ready to give birth to their first grandchild. it was raining and witnesses said, lightning hit the car and the car crashed into a wall. all 3 died. the son lost his parents, his wife and his child. that was 2 yrs ago.we were so shocked.
2006-10-02 09:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by jay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it definitely can. I know several people who've been struck through the windshield, one of them (uncle) was struck 4 times while driving. Go figure, and it's supposed to be safe!
2006-10-02 09:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by swrong 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it strikes airplanes- they are moving vehicles. If you mean cars, I wonder if the rubber tires ground them?
2006-10-02 09:51:47 · answer #5 · answered by mei-lin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep
2006-10-02 09:43:31 · answer #6 · answered by Johnny P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. it happened to my ex-boyfriend.
2006-10-02 09:49:56 · answer #7 · answered by Jenova 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that I have heard of.
2006-10-02 09:44:05 · answer #8 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋