Summer is the busiest driving time of the year and also the most dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 21 of the top 25 deadliest days for teen drivers are in the summer driving months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Regular tune-ups, battery checks, tire rotations, cooling system, and oil changes go a long way towards preventing breakdowns before they happen. This is especially important before a long road trip.
It can be very dangerous to leave a child or pet unattended in a parked vehicle. A car’s interior heats up quickly even with windows rolled down a couple inches. If outside temperature is in the low 80s, the temperature inside your car’s cabin can still reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes.
Whether you are at a parking lot, near a park, or even in the driveway in front of your house, children can be running and playing – totally oblivious to a vehicle. According to Kids and Cars, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about motor vehicle safety, the number of injuries and deaths from back-overs are on the rise.
Warmer weather attracts bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians during the warm summer months. They are vulnerable road users and do not have the same protection as a car. Any traffic accident will most likely will result in injury, so keep your distance.
According to NSC.org, 26% of all crashes involve cell phone use and 10% of drivers under age 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted during the time of the crash. Distracted driving can be anything that pulls your attention away from the road like cell phone use, texting while driving, talking with other passengers, eating or drinking. Avoid any type of distraction while driving.
According to the NHTSA, a higher volume of holiday travelers, including a significantly higher number of alcohol-impaired drivers, cause nearly twice the number of automotive deaths during the summer than during the rest of the months of the year combined. Be responsible, and don’t drink and drive.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. Sleep deprivation can have a similar affect as drunk driving on your motor skills, so remember to get your rest before taking a long road trip.
Make sure you are always prepared just in case your car breaks down, especially on long summer road trips. Make sure you always have a cell phone, jumper cables, car jack, lug wrench, and a spare tire in your vehicle. Other car safety essentials include a flashlight, first aid kit, basic repair tools, drinking water, nonperishable food, and map.
