Summer Driving Safety Tips

Driving safety tips are applicable all-year round, but in the summer there are some special safety issues that should be kept in mind.

• Watch out for children and pedestrians on the road. With summer and holidays, more children will be playing in the streets, and people will be out cycling, skating or walking.
• Pay attention to stress and fatigue. The additional heat in summer and traffic delays can make you feel more tired and less alert than usual.
• Look out for road constructions and detours as most road constructions take place during the summer.
• Get your car tuned and serviced. Change belts and hoses if they are old as the heat and humidity can deteriorate rubber.
• Optimize tire pressure. Tire pressure should be increased in the summer while reduced in winter. Be sure to check your car manual for optimum pressure level. Use seasonal tires if possible.
• Keep drinks and health snacks in your car when going out on long drives or if you expect delays on the road.
• If you are going on long-trips, take regular rest stops or take a break when you stop for fuel.
• At all times keep a first-aid safety box in your car. Make sure the contents of the box have fresh supplies.

Weather conditions in summer can pose special threats to driving safely. For example, overheating or sudden storms can create emergency situations.

Hot weather conditions can make you car overheat resulting in engine breakdowns. You should refer to your vehicle manual for proper cooling guidelines. Ideally the cooling system in your car should be completely flushed and refilled for maximum performance in the heat.

In case your car overheats and you need to refill the radiator – do not open the radiator cap immediately after stopping the vehicle but wait until the engine has cooled down. Otherwise the cap will be very hot and pressured steam might burst out from the radiator causing you injury.

Sudden storms in summer can create driving hazards that you might not have expected. Flash flooding, tornadoes and rain may require you to take immediate precautionary measures. If you come across water-crossings, get out of your car and check for the water depth before you attempt to cross it. If you sense bad weather approaching, turn on your radio and monitor the weather news. In case of tornadoes, seek shelter immediately. If the road is wet due to rain, reduce your car speed and drive carefully especially on curves.

In case of emergencies remain calm and adjust your driving based on the situation. For example, if you tire bursts, don’t attempt to brake hard. Rather take your foot off the gas pedal and lightly brake to gradually bring your car to a halt. If you car enters deep water try to escape through the window or open the door as soon as the car makes impact. If water starts rising inside your car then your door will not open because of the water pressure. If the electronics in your power window gets shorted and you can’t open the window then allowing water to enter your car fully may make the door open easier. Other experts suggest that once the pressure is equalized to try to kick the windshield out.

For more tips on driving in summer and handling driving emergencies, here are some additional links:

• Driving Safety Tips from Weather.com
• Driving Tips for Summer Trips
• Summer Road Safety Tips

Some driving safety products that we offer:

• Driving Training & Safety
• Driving Safety Training Program
• Accidents & Breakdowns Training Kit