What’s The Safest Way To Drive In Summer? (10 Simple Tips)

Before summer gets underway, we need to press our brakes and review key driving safety tips.

As people enjoy flying to new destinations while on vacation, some Americans are more attracted to cross-country road trips.

If you are one of those adventurers planning on a memorable road trip, stay current with our summer driving safety tips for your own protection.

For that reason, here are 10 simple driving safety tips to help you get the best out of the summer season while on the road.

Always wear your seatbelt

Buckle up before hitting the road. Not only does seatbelts save lives, but you are also required to wear them by law.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of lives could be saved by increasing the number of people wearing a seatbelt.

This is the most important driving safety tip that could really make a difference not only for you as a driver but also for all your passengers.

Secure the child safety seat

If you are planning on a road trip with kids involved, watch out for their safety by putting them into their safety seats as that really makes a difference.

Always double check, and make sure the child safety seat is properly secured to restrict seat movement in a collision.

Though, the most important thing is to ensure the child safety seat carries a label stating the it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards, and the child’s age and weight is compatible with the car seat’s weight and age limit.

Vehicle maintenance should be a priority

Just because you own a new car or your car seems to be in good condition doesn’t mean that you can afford not giving the appropriate care your vehicle deserves.

In fact, you don’t need to be a car mechanic to know what’s going on with your car. You could simply schedule some vehicle maintenance checks with your local mechanic.

Pay attention to issues such as oil filter, top off the washer fluid, tire pressure, wiper blades, coolant system, and engine.

Buy new tires prior to a long drive

Take heed of your car tires as they are indispensable features that nobody should neglect.

Whether you own a SUV or a sedan, inspect your tires to spot any wear or damage like any other planner who acts proactively.

Whether your tires are worn owing to age, tire pressure neglect or simply a bad alignment, you’ll need to replace them for new tires. Keep always a spare one with you to reduce any complications while on the road.

Pay attention to your car lights

Another proactive way to ensure your car is in good condition is to check that all your car lights work. That includes every single light of your car.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help whether you find problems with your headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard flashes, and reversing lights.

Always check your car AC prior to a summer journey

The summer has a huge impact on the road and you need to rely on your AC to be functioning correctly to keep yourself and everyone cool.

Having your air-conditioning checked could save you from those rides where the sun is beating on your face, increasing the temperature inside your car, and disrupting a journey that was meant to be fun.

Try to rent a car

What if your car is not in good condition for a long summer trip? Perhaps, your vehicle does not get very good gas mileage.

In that case, you may need to rent a car which is worth trying considering that your car does not meet your vacation requirements.

Renting a car works perfectly for a long journey as they are quite modern, embrace fuel economy, and rarely breakdown.

Carry a road trip emergency kit

Even when you are a good planner, your vehicle could easily breakdown during a road trip or someone in your vehicle could be injured.

Things and accidents happen. Either, carry a road trip emergency kit with you to quickly handle this situations and get the best out of your summer vacation.

To learn more about emergency kit items, here’s a Survival Kit List: 7 Essential Items For Your Own Driving Safety

Watch out for road signs during your summer road trip

During summer, people have more time to explore, drive, and walk around town increasing the chances of getting involved in an accident.

That said, you should follow the road signs to avoid any potential threat of an accident with other drivers who may be driving negligently.

At the same time, slow down whenever you leave the highway as there are more pedestrians on the road where many of them could be walking cluelessly.

Be careful with trucks on the road

This applies to drivers who are merging onto the highway, where it’s common to find trucks driving along at high speeds.

When it comes to those 18-wheelers, many of those have blind spots and take a long time to stop. It could be dangerous to be driving next to a truck so a good advice is to pass the truck or simply tuck in behind it.

Another advice is to never cut in front of a truck and then stop as trucks are huge vehicles that need some time to make a sudden stop, increasing the chance of getting involved in a car crash.