Car insurance - Tips & Advice - Road safety
When the weather heats up, keep cool behind the wheel with these driving tips for summer road safety.
Hot weather can cause problems for drivers. Here’s what to look out for so you can take a stand for safer summer driving.
Overheating car
High temperatures and intense sunshine can cause your vehicle to overheat, so check the water levels and coolant are topped up in your radiator.
Overheating people
Heat can make drivers and passengers irritable or drowsy so keep a supply of drinks in a coolbag in the car.
Traffic jams
Sun + weekends can cause huge traffic jams near popular coastal or countryside destinations. Get a passenger to check real-time UK traffic news to avoid queues.
Park and boil
Think before you park. Parking in strong sunshine will mean returning to an oven. Try to find a shady spot.
Frazzled pets
Letting pets overheat in your car is cruel and illegal. Keep the car well ventilated, don’t leave pets unattended, and ensure regular water and exercise breaks on long journeys.
Beware flooding
Adverse weather conditions, such as flash floods, are not uncommon in British summers. Be prepared by checking windscreen wipers, pack some waterproofs and don’t risk driving down a road or path that is starting to flood.
Tyre pressure changes
Air expands when it gets hot and this can happen to your tyres, too. Check tyre pressure and inflate when tyres are cold so that it is correct.
Driving to Europe
Taking the car holiday this summer? Direct Line also has tips and advice on driving abroad. But don’t forget to take out appropriate car insurance and European breakdown cover.
Related information
Top reasons why accidents occur
10 ways to a stress and accident free journey
Combating aggressive driving
|
