In the summer, more vehicles fill the roads as vacationers head to beaches, national parks and family reunions across the country. Longer daylight hours keep drivers on highways later, and more young or inexperienced drivers take the wheel during school breaks.
Consider the glaring sun during an afternoon commute or weekend lake trips with trailers. Everyday summer scenarios like these can quickly turn into an accident without proper preparation.
Prep Your Vehicle for Warm Weather
High temperatures in June, July and August can stress critical vehicle systems. Stop-and-go traffic on interstates and city streets amplifies heat buildup under the hood, making pre-summer maintenance essential for safe driving. Here are a few items to check before the temperatures rise:
- Tires deserve close attention, especially before summer road trips. Check tire pressure using the driver door placard as a guide, as heat can increase the risk of a blowout. Inspect tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracks or bulges before taking long drives.
- Cooling systems have to work harder in the summer heat. Using the correct coolant mix helps prevent overheating, and checking for leaks and hose or radiator issues before highway travel may reduce the risk of breakdown.
- Fluids throughout the car need regular checks. Oil, transmission, brake, power steering and washer fluid should be checked and filled as necessary in accordance with the owner’s manual.
- Battery and charging system health is especially important in hot weather. Heat can have a negative impact on battery life, so testing charge levels and checking terminals before a road trip can help to prevent surprise failures.
- Lights and wipers affect visibility during summer storms. Check all exterior lights and replace worn wiper blades, as clear visibility can help drivers spot hazards sooner.
Keeping your service records up to date and scheduling a professional inspection before a long summer drive can help to identify any small issues before they become major repairs.
Plan Smart Routes, Timing and Loads
Map your route in advance and check live traffic and construction updates. Knowing about delays before you leave can allow you to make changes to your route or avoid areas with heavy traffic. Additionally, for trips through rural areas with limited cell phone coverage, consider printing directions or downloading offline maps as a backup navigation option.
If possible, avoid peak holiday travel windows. Late afternoon on the Friday before Memorial Day or July 4 brings some of the heaviest traffic of the year. Leaving early in the morning or waiting until evening can help reduce exposure to congestion and aggressive drivers who may lose their patience in heavy traffic.
Make sure to build extra time into your driving schedule. If you hit construction zones, detours or sudden summer storms, having buffer time means you won’t feel rushed.
Load your vehicle carefully:
- Avoid overloading cargo areas or roof racks beyond the vehicle’s capacity.
- Distribute weight evenly to help maintain proper handling.
- Confirm that trailers, boats or campers stay within your car’s tow rating.
- Secure coolers, luggage, sports gear and pet carriers so loose items don’t become projectiles during a sudden stop.
Stay Alert Behind the Wheel
Staying focused requires intentional effort. Make sure to get adequate rest, particularly before multi-hour drives. When traveling with others, rotate drivers if possible. No matter who’s behind the wheel, take breaks at least every two to three hours to stretch, hydrate and reset.
Checking navigation apps, managing playlists, interacting with passengers or tending to children and pets can all pull your attention from the road. Consider placing your cell phone out of reach and using do-not-disturb mode.
Stay aware of weather risks. Rain, hail, standing water, fog or wildfire smoke can appear quickly, especially during the summer months. During severe weather, slow down and increase your following distance to provide a buffer.
Remind everyone in the vehicle to wear seat belts. Use appropriate child restraints on every trip, regardless of distance. Never leave children unattended in the back seat, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Finally, never drive while under the influence of alcohol. Plan sober transportation before events – designated drivers, rideshare options or staying overnight are all much safer choices than driving after consuming alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol or certain medications can slow reaction time, especially when combined with heat exposure and fatigue from a long day outdoors.
Stay Safe in the Summer Heat
Managing heat inside the vehicle matters for safety:
- Use sunshades when parked to reduce the vehicle’s interior temperature.
- Run the air conditioner wisely to stay comfortable without straining the system.
- Drink water regularly throughout the trip.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, like headache or dizziness, in yourself and passengers.
- Keep your vehicle’s windshield clean. Make sure to clean it in the shade, rather than in direct sunlight.
- Depending on the day’s UV index, it may be wise for drivers and passengers to wear sunscreen and polarized sunglasses.
- During times of peak sunlight, allow extra following distance to help compensate for reduced visibility.
Parents and caregivers should make it a habit to check their vehicle’s backseat before exiting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the past 25 years, more than 1,000 children have died of heatstroke caused by being left or trapped in a car, and more than half of those deaths were due to a caregiver forgetting a child in a car.
Share the Road in the Summer
In the summer months, the roads carry more vehicles, particularly on interstate highways and routes popular with tourists. Awareness of these road users can help to prevent collisions.
- Work zones require extra caution. Slow to posted speed limits, watch for flaggers and merge early if lanes are closed. Avoid last-minute lane changes near orange barrels and cones. Construction crews are most active during the summer months, so it’s important to stay vigilant.
- Motorcycles can be difficult to see in mirrors, especially when making left turns or changing lanes. Double-check blind spots before moving and signal early to give riders time to react. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to serious injury in an accident, so stay aware of these riders.
- Bicycles share the road under the same rules as motor vehicles. Allow at least three feet of clearance when passing, yield appropriately at intersections and be prepared for sudden changes in speed or direction. Bicyclists are particularly common in residential neighborhoods and urban areas during the summer.
- Pedestrians gather near parks, pools, playgrounds and entertainment districts. Watch for people using phones or headphones who may not be aware of approaching traffic. Children playing in neighborhoods also require extra vigilance.
- Boats, campers and other trailers often move slowly on highways. Exercise patience, maintain an extended following distance and pass only when legal and safe. Adding just a few extra minutes of travel time could prevent a dangerous accident.
Teen Driver Safety
Teen and young adult drivers often spend more hours behind the wheel during school breaks. Parents and guardians should review household driving rules and state-specific graduated driving laws, which typically restrict nighttime driving and the number of passengers for newly licensed drivers.
Discuss these topics openly with teen drivers:
- Seat belt use for every occupant on every trip
- Putting the phone away while driving
- Following speed limits, especially in unfamiliar areas
- The importance of never driving under the influence or getting into a vehicle with a driver who is intoxicated
Protect yourself, your passengers and your vehicle
Vehicle preparation and careful driving are important, but financial protection through car insurance also matters when something unexpected happens on the road.
Reviewing your personal insurance coverage before the summer season begins is a smart step. Connect with a Higginbotham team member to discuss your insurance needs and learn how your policy may respond to common driving risks.
