The summer thunderstorms that periodically roll through the area typically inspire a sense of wonder and dread. The flashes and bolts of lightning, accompanied by peals and rumbles of thunder, are wondrous to behold. With particularly severe thunderstorms, however, one also has to worry about power outages and property damage.

People are advised to avoid contact with a wide variety of materials during a storm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say these include land line telephones, showers, and electronics. A lightning strike can travel through plumbing, phone or electrical lines, or even metal rebar in concrete, potentially causing injuries.

Vehicles are generally considered to be safe from lightning strikes. While drivers need to use common sense while traveling in a thunderstorm, such as being aware of potential flooding or debris on the road, they usually don't have to worry about being zapped from above.

Many people believe, erroneously, that the rubber tires protect the occupants if a vehicle is struck by lightning. The National Lightning Safety Institute says vehicles actually provide safety because they function as a sort of Faraday cage. The electricity from a lightning strike will flow along the outside of the metal surfaces of a vehicle's frame, while the inside surfaces will not be affected.

Vehicles won't always dispel the electricity effectively, though. Many vehicles have fiberglass components, which won't conduct electricity as effectively. The CDC says the windows need to be rolled up for a vehicle to effectively offer protection. Chrissy Warilow, writing for The Weather Channel, says the cloth tops of convertibles will also inhibit the protective effect of the vehicle.

The electricity from a lightning strike can flow through a vehicle's electrical system, giving you a shock if you are touching any of this equipment. These items may include radio dials, cell phone chargers, and GPS units.

Metallic components with a connection to the outside surfaces can also be electrified by a lightning strike. The steering column, accelerator and brake pedals, and door handles, and gearshift can all serve to conduct electricity.

For this reason, it is always safer to seek shelter indoors rather than in a vehicle if possible. The CDC says structures are a safe place to be during a storm, but that you should stay away from doors, windows, and porches until the tempest has passed.

The best way to reduce the risk of injury from a lightning strike while sheltering in a vehicle is to stop driving until the storm has passed. The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends pulling over in a safe location, turning on your emergency blinkers, shutting off the engine, and sitting with your hands in your lap until it is safe to start driving again.

Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes can also provide shelter if the vehicle has a rollover systems canopy to create an enclosure. However, other vehicles with a more open design—including riding lawnmowers and golf carts—will not provide adequate protection from a lightning strike.

Even if it offers a fair amount of protection, a vehicle can still be damaged by a lightning strike. Surfaces can be pitted or burned when a bolt of lightning strikes, and electrical systems can be extensively damaged or destroyed. Warilow says damage to the electrical system can also cause the engine to suddenly shut down, which could also result in the deployment of airbags.