How to Stay Safe When Driving in Summer

Overheating

You will want to keep yourself cool while driving in your car and that's what your air conditioning is for. However, just because you're keeping cool on the inside doesn't mean your car is getting too hot on the outside.

Cars are designed for all weathers but sometimes in high temperatures, the coolant and cooling systems can overheat and cause you problems. So ensure to check these during hotter months to keep your car healthy.

Do you have a car on finance? Do you know if you have a good or bad deal? Let us appraise your deal for free and we could help you get into a better deal or newer car.

Hay fever

Hay fever is a nightmare at this time of year and makes going out to do the smallest of tasks miserable. But if you are planning on going out and need to drive, it's very important to take the correct precautions to avoid any unnecessary problems.

• If taking medication, ensure that it's non-drowsy.
• Keep windows and air vents closed to prevent pollen from getting into the car.
• Ensure your mats and carpets are cleaned regularly from dust and pollen.
• Always take tissues with you.
• Block out the sunlight and give your eyes an extra layer of protection with sunglasses.

If you feel like you need to sneeze, reduce your speed. If you're driving on the motorway at 70mph, you'll lose vision for up to 100m after sneezing which could be extremely dangerous.

Glare

When the sun is shining it can dazzle you, affecting your vision. Keep sunglasses close by so you can put them on whenever it gets too bright. This will reduce some of the light shining in your eyes.

Keeping your windscreen clean and free of dirt will significantly reduce glare and if you need to replace windscreen wipers then you should do that too. 

Tractors

Driving behind a tractor can be infuriating, especially if you have somewhere to be, but it's critically important that you don't take risks and make sure your surroundings are safe before undertaking any actions.

The cab where the driver of the tractor sits could be soundproof, or they may be wearing protective earphones, so they may not be able to hear your approach, even on a quiet country road.

You should keep plenty of distance behind a tractor as they may stop or turn quickly and without notice. They don't need to have indicators or brake lights unless driving at night which makes it tricky to gauge what they are doing.

Before you decide to overtake, make sure there is no oncoming traffic, you have plenty of room, and you're not trying to do it on a bend. You should have full visibility of the road up ahead in both directions.

Fire

Try to avoid smoking while driving in the summer. This is because if you throw your cigarette out of the window when you're done, it could set dry grass on the roadside alight. It's worth erring on the side of caution and waiting until you stop before lighting up.

Loose chippings

Roads often get repaired with tar and loose chippings in summer and these can flick up and cause damage to paintwork, headlights, and even your windscreen. Keeping to the speed limit will reduce the chance of this happening.

Driving tired

If you're tired, don't risk it. Pull over and have a nap or a couple of cups of coffee to help you get through the journey. However, ensure that you stop at a service station or somewhere safe as opposed to the hard shoulder

To avoid getting tired, take a break every few hours if driving for a long period of time. 

Is your car in a positive or negative equity position? Find out for free today.

Punctures

If you're going on a long journey, you should check your tyre pressure before setting off. Hot roads from the high summer temperatures can put more strain on your tyres, causing them to blow out in extreme cases.

Wet or lost keys

If you're planning on going to the beach or in the pool, don't forget to take your keys out of your pocket. Damp key fobs may ruin your remote control to open and lock your car, so it's better to be safe than sorry.