For most of us, summertime usually means beach holidays, long days and thrilling road trips.
Yet the warm weather can be just as unforgiving to our cars as the cold temperatures of winter.
Thankfully, a little planning and foresight can go a long way to ensuring you stay safe and fully prepared, which is why we've put together a few tips for summer driving to help save you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or crash.
All to make your summer of driving a happy one.
Start With a Cool Car
Give your car the best possible chance of not overheating when driving in summer by using sunshades on hot days and by parking in the shade. That way, it'll be as cool as possible when you next head off for a drive.
Or get your aircon running for a few minutes or open your doors and windows so as to circulate some cold air before setting off. And on the subject of aircon . . . best make sure it's running fine and in perfect working order before the summer heat peaks. You don't want to get to June and then figure out it's malfunctioning.
You might be best only rolling your windows down at low speeds during summer driving, as doing so at high speeds will increase the drag on your car, leading to more fuel usage. At medium to high speeds, air conditioning is the way to go.
DID YOU KNOW: black cars absorb more heat than other colours
Check Traffic Before You Go
Roads are likely to be busier than usual on weekends and on bank holidays in the baking hot weather, so it's wise to plan your route ahead and watch for any delays or traffic pile-ups when summer driving. Routes to popular seaside resorts and places of interest in particular can be jam-packed.
Another thing to note is that roadworks tend to be set up more during the summer months in order to take advantage of the dry weather, so check weather forecasts online, turn on your radio for traffic updates, and familiarise yourself with directions and maps prior to heading off. These are all things you could be doing to anticipate traffic conditions.
Watch Out for Cyclists
It's not just bees and insects that come out in force in the summer, but cyclists too.
Yep, love them or hate them, cyclists are always pretty keen to take advantage of the good weather, so keep an eye out for them. The law stipulates that you have to give them at least 1.5 metres space when overtaking, so check for cyclists in your blind spots and check your mirrors carefully when turning and when at junctions.
Remember, they have just as much of a right to be on the road as motorists.
Avoid Sun Glare
You're obviously going to be seeing more clear skies in the summer, so having a pair of sunglasses at hand is a good idea to block out those pesky UV rays. Yes, to make you look good . . . but for safety purposes as well. However, just avoid getting hold of certain very dark types of sunglasses that actually block out too much light and which are actually illegal to wear behind the wheel. These include category 4 sunglasses, which transmit just 3-8% of light.
We hardly need to tell you that impaired vision caused by sunlight causes a lot of accidents, so if sunglasses aren't already enough, then you might also want to consider replacing worn windshield wipers to achieve even greater visibility. Windscreens also tend to get very dirty during dry spells and any scratches can intensify sunlight effects, so topping up your windscreen washer fluid with plenty of water/cleaning fluid is never a bad call.
Stay Hydrated
In the summer months, water can be equally as important when driving as it is when walking.
Having a couple of bottles of water on hand when stuck in a long traffic jam under the scorching sun really can make life a heck of a lot easier, so make sure to take plenty of cold water with you on your summer driving journeys. And if you have kids, investing in insulated drink bottles for them can be a great idea, especially on those long days of adventure.
Maintain Tyre Condition
It may be no surprise to learn that tyre blowouts happen more often in warmer weather.
As per the AA, damaged tyres that are under-inflated become even more problematic in hotter temperatures, thereby increasing the chance of a blowout or puncture. Something you definitely don't want.
So before setting off on your journey, check to see if your tyre pressure is at the correct level, as well as that of any vehicle you happen to be towing.
Summer Road Rage
A slow-moving traffic jam and a scorching hot day really is a match made in hell, leading to a perfect 'pressure cooker' environment which can cause untold amounts of stress.
But there's always steps you can take to drive more calmly and avoid stress. The most obvious pointer is to plan your route in advance, avoid busy peak times and make sure that you take regular breaks. Or if you travel with kids, make sure that they have plenty to keep them entertained and busy.
Don't Leave Children or Pets in Your Car
It's safe to say that both children and pets can experience discomfort from the heat whilst being left in a parked hot car, so it goes without saying that it's best to avoid that whenever possible.
Leaving a dog in a car is perfectly legal only as long as doing so doesn't lead to serious discomfort on its part, so you still need to take some steps to reduce the risk of your furry friend overheating. This can include leaving the air conditioning on, getting reflective window shades, or getting white interior covers for your car.
Carry Plenty of Water and Some Snacks
We've already covered how the warm weather can make it dangerous for you to dehydrate, which is why you should carry plenty of water with you.
But food and snacks can be almost as important as liquids. If you break down in summertime, the wait times for recovery vehicles can unfortunately be longer than usual, so bringing some energy bars along for a quick boost is a good idea. Just make sure to keep them in a cool place and that they're not chocolate-based. Otherwise, they'll be melting faster than the ice caps.
Other supplies worth considering:
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First aid kit
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Warning triangle
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High visibility jacket/vest
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Road map
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Sun cream
Make Regular Stops on Long Journeys
Driving fatigue (which causes up to roughly a quarter of all road crashes) can be an issue in any weather, but slightly more so during the hot summer months.
It's a fact of nature: when temperatures are warm, tiredness increases. After all, you're more likely to feel the need to take a nap when it's warm than when it's cold. So if you're going to be driving any long distances, make sure you pull over regularly for rest stops. If you feel sleepy whilst driving, try opening the windows for some air, and if the tiredness persists, pull over immediately in a safe place and drink a cup of coffee (preferably iced coffee at this time of year) or some other kind of high-caffeine drink.
Also, try to drive only after a good night's sleep, as driving without adequate sleep can be similar to driving intoxicated.
And speaking of drunk driving . . .
Don't Drink and Drive
The hot weather is a prime time for people to flock to barbeques, beer gardens and music festivals, where there's always a lot of alcohol floating around. So it's no wonder that summer can see an increase in drink-related driving offences.
Before heading out to these events, do the sensible thing and work out how you're going to get home. If you plan on drinking, find another method of transportation such as walking, bus, train, or taxi. That way, you can make the most of the nice weather WITHOUT putting lives at risk.
Summary
So, there you have it. All your top tips for summer driving in one handy place.
Yes, by all means have fun out there in the nice (and at times maybe not so nice) weather, but be sure to drive sensibly as well. That's all anyone can ask of you.
FAQs
What is the AA advice for driving in hot weather?
Their main advice is to put a sunshield over the back windows, drive with the air conditioning on and park in the shade.
Is it safe to drive in hot weather UK?
It's a broad question, but in general, yes. As long as you take the right precautions.