Most people agree that summer is the safest season for driving, and while it is true that you don’t usually have to worry about ice patches or slippery leaves on the road, summer still presents some unique challenges to road safety. Since most kids are getting out of school for summer break, and we’re quickly approaching the first official day of summer, now is a great time to share some safe summer driving tips!
Make sure your A/C is in working condition before you go for a long drive. Lack of air conditioning on particularly hot days can negatively affect people in poor health, elderly people, and children.
The heat can also greatly increase the chance of tire blowouts. This is because the heat causes the air inside your tires to expand, increasing the tire pressure. Driving long distances causes your tires to heat up and tire pressure to go up even more, which can cause tires to blow. To prevent this, avoid driving with worn tires, and get a tire change at the beginning of summer if need be.
As we mentioned in the intro, lots of kids are out of school for summer, so chances are, you’ll be driving your own kids around a lot more for the next few months. Studies show that kids at times can be 12x more distracting than cell phones, so if you plan on bringing kids on a car ride, be prepared. Make sure they are secured in the back seat, and provide them with plenty of games, snacks, etc. to keep them occupied.
Stay alert for other drivers during the upcoming vacation months. Since many people travel far to go on vacation, you may be sharing the road with people who don’t know the area as well as you do, so stay patient. In addition, keep in mind that some vacationers may be driving while fatigued or sleep deprived, so keep your distance from the cars around you.
In addition to vacationers, more teen drivers will populate the roads now that school’s out. Teens have a lack of experience (we’ve all been there) that can lead to them making questionable decisions that endanger other drivers. As always, stay vigilant, especially if the drivers around you seem insecure or hesitant.
Perhaps most dangerous is the mindset of “Summer driving is completely safe.” You shouldn’t drive haphazardly just because summer provides the most favorable weather conditions for driving, but some people do. As we explained in the points above, there are quite a few hazards to be aware of this upcoming season, so be prepared to drive defensively as always!
Thanks for reading, and be sure to share this information so more people can become aware of the not-so-obvious risks associated with summer driving!
