Summer Driving Tips To Stay Safe This Summer

The summer months are upon us and for many people that means hitting the road for vacations and road trips with friends and family. We want everyone to stay safe this summer, so we are sharing some summer driving tips to do just that. Before hitting the road, planning ahead is key with these summer driving safety tips.

Summer Driving Safety Tips

To help keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe, here are some safety tips to follow this summer:

• Air Conditioning - With warmer weather, you are going to want to keep your vehicle cool. Before traveling anywhere, check the A/C performance. You want to make sure this is in working order, as it can be dangerous for people in poor health or children who are more sensitive to heat.
• Heatstroke - Speaking of heat, the summer months bring out more cases of vehicular heatstroke and deaths related to hot cars. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle -- not even for a few minutes. Temperatures rise quickly inside a car, even if the outside temperature is in the 70s and you have the windows cracked.
• Belts and Hoses - Did you know that rubber belts and hoses degrade more quickly in hotter summer temperatures? Before hitting the road, look under your hood and check all the belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of cracks, bulges, cuts or blisters in the rubber. If they are showing signs of some wear, it is best to replace them before making your travel plans.
• Cooling System - Make sure your vehicle has enough coolant. You will also want to have a mechanic check the cooling system for any possible leaks, test the coolant and drain or replace any old coolant.
• Tires - Check to make sure each of your tires is filled to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure. This can be found in your owner's manual or on a placard found on the driver's side door frame. You will also want to check the tire pressure on your spare tire, if you have one. Do not inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the tire itself, as that is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
• Fluid Levels - You want to check the oil level in your vehicle periodically. If you are due for an oil change soon, it is best to get that done before heading out for your road trip. When checking the oil level, also make sure to check the fluid levels for the brakes, power steering, windshield washer and automatic transmission or clutch.
• Lights - Make sure all of the lights on the vehicle are working properly: turn signals, brake lights, headlights, emergency flashers and interior lights. If you are carrying a trailer, make sure the trailer brake lights and turn signals also work.
• Batteries - Have a mechanic check the status of your battery and make sure it is fully charged. If you are driving a hybrid-electric vehicle, make sure to keep gasoline in the tank to help support the gasoline engine.
• Wiper Blades - During the winter and spring months, your wiper blades may have taken a beating. You may not use them as much in the summer months, so make sure they are working properly. Like those rubber belts and hoses mentioned above, wiper blades are also vulnerable to the summer heat.
• Floor Mats - If your floor mats are not properly installed in your vehicle, they may shift around and interfere with the gas or brake pedal. Make sure you are using the right size and fit for your vehicle.

Summer Driving Tips - Protection

While the above summer driving tips were more focused on the car, the following are some tips you can do to help protect you and your fellow passengers:

• Seat Belts - Make sure everyone in your vehicle is using their seat belt. Every time you are driving the vehicle, every person in that vehicle should be buckled up in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats or seat belts.
• Car Seats - Speaking of car seats, make sure car seats and booster seats are properly installed. Make sure any children riding with you are in the right seat for their age and size. You can check out the NHTSA’s Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator to find a free car seat inspection station near you or to get information on virtual inspections.
• Backovers - Backup cameras are amazing, but they don't always capture children, pets or objects that may be out of view. Before backing out of a parking spot, do a quick walk around your vehicle to make sure everything is clear. Larger vehicles and RVs have bigger blind zones where these things can sneak up, so prevent any backovers by checking the scene first.

Summer Safety Driving Tips - Plan Ahead

The best safety tip out there has to be planning ahead. This includes:

• Stocking Your Vehicle - You can do all the tips mentioned above, but still have your vehicle break down. In case that happens, it is best to put together an emergency roadside kit. This kit should include cell phone and charger, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, flares, jack for changing a tire, tire pressure gauge, work gloves, maps, basic repair tools, duct tape, water and paper towels, nonperishable food, drinking water, emergency blankets, towels and coats.
• Plan Your Route - Things seem to go more smoothly when you get behind the wheel and have a plan of attack. Plan your route, check the weather, road conditions and traffic. Give yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination; don't rush yourself. You may be using GPS, but familiarize yourself with the route because you may lose service along the way.

We want everyone to stay safe this summer and continue working on eradicating car crashes. These summer driving tips can help us all work towards accomplishing that!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.