Safety Tips for Summer Driving

With opportunities to head out on family holidays and road trips, and some warm weather for cruising down the freeway, the summer holds plenty of appeal for motorists. However, thanks to the heat, this time of year also conceals a few dangers for unsuspecting drivers. Following a few pointers will allow motorists to enjoy the benefits of summer while staying safe behind the wheel.

Tire Pressure

• Hot air can wreak havoc on your vehicle's tires, causing them to expand, which can have severe consequences while you're driving, because overinflated tires reduce the tread contact your tires have with the road. The key is to check your tire pressure on a regular basis --- as much as once a month, according to the ClearLead website --- to ensure that your tires are at a safe level for the conditions. Remember that you should wait until your tires are cold before changing the pressure.

Battery Check

• Drivers should be vigilant about monitoring the lifespan of the integral parts of their vehicles, but this is especially important during the summer months, when components such as car batteries can easily become drained from excess use. If you're about to head out on a long journey, check that your battery isn't about to give up on you. As recommended by the B.C. Autos website, if your battery is around three years of age, consider having it replaced.

Car Fluids

• Since all that summer heat is likely to have adverse effects on your vehicle's cooling system, you'll want to keep a close eye on your radiator during the summer months. Make sure that both coolant and water levels are regularly topped up, and that you check the radiator for any leaks or indication of corrosion. Any problems here could suggest that your radiator is about to fail.

Handling Flooding

• In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the summer months don't just bring sun but also a substantial risk of flash flooding. If you're driving in an area where this has occurred, remember to be careful about heading into side streets where water is rising, since it's easy to become trapped by flooding. Also, check that your vehicle is equipped to handle wet weather driving; ensure that your windshield wipers are in working order, for example.

Interior Overheating

• Not only do vehicles heat up on summer journeys, but the people inside them will too as the interior gets warmer. This presents a danger of dehydration, so make sure you have some drinks --- especially bottles of water --- stored away in an insulated container. Also, driving in hot weather can make you feel drowsy, so you might want to consider making regular stops to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.