We are facing higher temperatures these days and the dangers of summer driving should never be underestimated.
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Perhaps you think adverse weather conditions only applies to fall or winter driving. Guess what! Summer driving can be as dangerous as driving in any other season.
With that being said, let us warn you about the unseen dangers of summer driving and why you need to take our warning seriously.
Once you are aware of the impact that summer driving has on our safety, you’ll be prepped to act judiciously.
But first, what makes summer driving as dangerous as winter driving?
We always assume that summer driving brings a brighter light to the scene along with a fresher breeze while cruising along a freeway.
Yet there’s more than just a simple change in temperatures that we should pay close attention to.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that August ranked second in the total number of fatal crashes in 2014.
With a total amount of 3,037 accidents, August remains behind October’s 3,068 crashes which is quite alarming to say the least.
To make matters worse, June, July, and September each had about 2,800 deadly crashes themselves.
You may be wondering what is causing such an increase in the number of fatal crashes during the summer season.
Here we grouped 6 reasons to better explain the unseen dangers of summer driving.
The summer season attracts teen drivers
When the school period is over, more teens are hitting the roads. Unfortunately, many of these teenagers aren’t as prepared enough to drive safely.
Teen drivers highlight for their inexperience behind the wheel, which result in poor decision making under challenging scenarios.
Not to mention that stats report that teen drivers are more vulnerable to crash than any other age group.
Summer vacation increases road congestion
While we are all guilty for planning our next summer vacation, severe road congestion is the price we need to pay to reach our destination.
The more congested the roads are, the harder it gets to navigate through slow traffic. Such nuisance also results in anxiety and road rage.
The number of tourists on the road increases dramatically. These drivers tend to be clueless about their route, which translates in unexpected maneuvers and slow driving.
Your tires may blow out
Summer driving impacts the performance of your tires. During the summer season, the heat causes the inside of your tires to expand, which results in tire blowouts.
Be cautious. This is the month when you need to arrange more tire inspections to avoid unexpected blowouts, especially if your tires are already wearing out.
If you need help checking your tires, take your vehicle to your local auto repair shop for further advice.
Planned construction
The summer season is also associated with more delays owing to road maintenance and construction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, planned construction and maintenance work areas claimed about 773 road fatalities each year between 2005 and 2014.
Next time you drive through a construction zone, make sure you slow down, check your surroundings, and follow the indications of the flagger if required.
Smaller vehicles are taking over the road
Let’s be honest. It feels great to ride a bike or a motorbike during the summer. You’ll notice more bikers crowding the roads and that makes it more challenging.
You are expected to share the road and many of them follow their own lead by squeezing between vehicles which isn’t a safe idea.
According to the IIHS, 720 cyclists were involved in fatal crashes with larger motor vehicles in 2014.
The excess of heat works affects your safety
Unless you drink water every 2 minutes, the heat could make you feel dehydrated and that reduces your ability to stay focused.
Your engine may also overheat, especially when overly using your AC to maintain an optimal temperature inside your car.
If your engine overheats, pull off the road safely and let it cool down before resuming your drive.
Wrapping up…
Summer driving can be as tough as winter driving. But what matters the most is how you respond to weather conditions.
Safety comes first. And the more aware you are of the unseen dangers of summer driving, the better!
The summer season is often associated with vacation, so ensure you embrace the summer with safe practices.
SEE ALSO: Why Do We Need Auto Insurance? (5 Reasons To Get A Policy)
