The summer brings warmer weather and more relaxed schedules, so it's no wonder that there's more road-trip traffic as people flock to vacation hotspots and weekend getaways. To make the most of your plans, it's a good idea to be prepared for summer driving. Try these tips to stay safe on the road this summer.
Car Maintenance Tips for Staying Safe This Summer
1. Get a Summer-Friendly Maintenance Check
High temperatures can be tough on your vehicle and can present safety issues. Fluids are more likely to evaporate, and your engine is more likely to overheat in warm weather. Even worse, underinflated tires can overheat on scorching road surfaces and increase the likelihood of a blown tire.
Before the temperatures skyrocket, get your summer auto maintenance check. Have a qualified mechanic check your fluids, tires, battery, and cooling systems so you can drive through the summer confidently.
2. Heat-proof Your Car
The summer's heat can wreak havoc on your car and potentially ruin a road trip. While it is impossible to heat-proof your car completely, there are things you can add to your car to lessen the wear and tear of the sun and make your ride more comfortable.
Consider tinting the windows to reduce the sun's glare and keep your car's interior cooler. Always keep a sun visor in your car when you are parking it in a hot area so you can block damaging UV rays. Also, consider purchasing a car cover for when you have your car parked for a long period of time.
3. Pack an Emergency Kit
It's always smart to be prepared for the worst, so keep your car stocked with safety necessities before your summer road trip. Build your own emergency kit to keep in your trunk with a box or bag of these items:
Supplies and equipment to change a tire
First-aid kit
Water bottles
Flashlight and batteries
Blanket and/or rain poncho
Non-perishable snacks
Basic tool kit
Duct tape
Reflective lighting and/or flares
Driving Tips for Staying Safe This Summer
1. Never Drink and Drive
If you’re going to be out having a few drinks and enjoying the summer months, have a plan to get you and your friends home safely. You have several options:
Choose a designated driver
Use a rideshare service
Pick a party location close enough to safely walk home
Host a house party so your friends can stay over if needed
Call a trusted friend or family member to come to get you
2. Stash Your Cell Phone
Distracted driving takes many forms, including using your cell phone to make calls, text, play music, or adjust navigation settings. Even if they're hands-free, these applications often take your eyes off the road, which can cause accidents.
Avoid the temptation to use your phone by storing it out of reach while driving. Toss it in the backseat or even in the trunk. Alternatively, you can install an app that will lock your phone while your vehicle is running.
3. Avoid Distractions
Cell phones may be among the most dangerous distractions, but they’re not the only ones. Other distractions include eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and grooming. Have you seen people shaving or applying makeup in the rearview mirror? Yikes!
The best way to avoid distractions is to keep your dashboard, front seat, and glove box empty of materials that might tempt you to try to multitask. You can also get in the habit of choosing your radio station before you begin driving and make sure to have a healthy meal before you head out on the road so you can skip the drive-thru.
4. Buckle Up
Seatbelts save lives. In 2022, half of the passengers killed in car accidents weren't wearing seatbelts, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that over 14,000 lives could have been saved if people buckled up. In major crashes, there is a very real threat of being thrown from the vehicle if you’re not wearing a seat belt, and this can reduce your chances of survival.
The bottom line? You need to buckle up — and insist that the others in your vehicle do the same.
5. Stick to the Speed Limit
Speed limits are meant to prevent you from traveling faster than is safe. The faster you’re traveling, the easier it is to lose control of the vehicle and the more dangerous a crash can be. According to the National Safety Council, speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, killing 12,151 people. That’s an average of more than 33 people per day killed because of speeding.
Speeding can lead to accidents that do a lot of damage even if there's no fatality. So give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination and keep your eye on the speedometer. You can even use cruise control to help you stick to the speed limit over long distances.
6. Learn Your Route
The navigation systems on our phones are quite useful, but they shouldn't be all you rely on when embarking on a long trip. Before you go, study the route you are taking and get familiar with it. This is crucial if you are heading to less populated areas where your cell phone reception may cut out. Print the route's directions or download the steps onto your phone for offline use.
While exploring your route, you can also take time to plan your stops and what attractions you want to see. Setting a plan ahead of time helps maximize the use of your vacation time and saves you from any post-trip regret.
Brush Up Your Skills for Summer
Even when you’re doing everything correctly on the road, other drivers might not be. One of the best ways to handle surprises on the road is to take a defensive driving course. Defensive driving courses can teach you how to anticipate the moves of other drivers and how to proactively avoid collisions when other drivers aren’t paying attention or following the rules of the road.
Have a safe and happy summer!
Updated 08/23/2024
