Wind-sensitive vehicles overturning on the Storebælt Bridge result in dangerous situations for the driver and other road users and in traffic jams involving thousands of motorists. This is why Sund & Bælt is committed to the enhancement of safety on the link.
The information campaign is part of this effort. Whether the wind-sensitive vehicle is a lorry or a passenger car towing a caravan, understanding how the vehicle behaves in hazardous wind conditions on the bridge is important, and the campaign is designed to provide relevant information.
"By providing information to the general public about the rules for wind-sensitive vehicles, we hope that more people will be able to assess whether their vehicle is wind sensitive. We have a great responsibility to ensure that it is always safe for road users to cross the bridge and that the link is open to traffic,” explains Kim Agersø Nielsen, Sund & Bælt Technical Manager.
In a related development, based on analyses carried out by FORCE Technology, Sund & Bælt has decided to install wind protection at pylons and anchor blocks to increase safety.
"In recent years, we have focused on security and looked at new steps towards improvements. We have noted that many accidents happen around the pylons in hazardous crosswind conditions. This is why we’re now putting up wind screens to mitigate the severe jolts that many drivers experience in their vehicles in strong winds,” says Kim Agersø Nielsen.
A ban on wind-sensitive vehicles crossing the Storebælt Bridge in hazardous wind conditions was instituted in 2021. The storebaelt.dk website provides both an overview of the types of vehicles that may be wind sensitive and real-time wind conditions. Information on windy conditions is provided on signage before and on the bridge too, and motorists may sign up for bridge notifications on wind warnings by SMS or by email.
Rules for wind-sensitive vehicles
- Even at a wind speed of 10 m/s, wind-sensitive vehicles must pay particular attention when driving across the bridge.
- When winds and crosswinds exceed 15 m/s, wind-sensitive vehicles are prohibited from driving on the Storebælt Bridge.
- In gale force winds of 25 m/s or stronger, all vehicle traffic on the bridge is suspended.
Wind-sensitive vehicles include tall trailers, lorries with no or light loads and certain types of caravans. Individual drivers are responsible for assessing whether their vehicle is wind sensitive.
Read more about wind and wind-sensitive vehicles on the Storebælt website.