Summer is here; the sun is shining and temperatures are set to hit record levels. The local authorities are even dispatching gritters to spread sand over melting roads. The heat can impact on our safety when we are out on the road if we don’t adapt accordingly and take the necessary precautions. So here are some top tips to help you stay cool over the next few days.
 
Firstly is your journey really necessary? Surely sitting in the shade in the back garden with your feet in the paddling pool is preferable to sitting in a traffic jam in the sweltering midday heat. Can you make your journey at another time of day when it will be cooler and possibly not as busy?
 
Keep hydrated – have a bottle of water in your car to keep your fluid levels topped up. Studies have shown that dehydration can make you feel tired and requiring more effort to concentrate on tasks. A lack of fluid can also affect your mood; making you feel increasingly impatient and tense. None of these attributes are good if you are in charge of a vehicle.
 
Check medication – at this time of year, conditions such as hay fever can cause symptoms which impair your driving ability. Close windows and vents to prevent pollen from entering your car. If taking hay fever medication, read the information leaflet of any remedy you take before you drive to see if it could have adverse effects.
 
Avoid a summer breakdown – with many people driving further at this time of year, as they set off on their summer holidays, make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey by completing some simple checks. Our vehicle checks film will show you how. This could help prevent a breakdown and avoid you becoming stranded in a dangerous place on the road waiting for recovery.
 
Prevent your car from overheating - keep your car well ventilated and try to park in a shaded area to prevent both the interior and the engine from overheating. In warm, sunny weather a car acts like a greenhouse, trapping the heat in which can leave occupants feeling hot and bothered and affecting our mood. Open the car doors and windows for a few minutes before setting off to get some air flowing. Use the air con, if you have it, while driving. If you feel stressed while driving, take deep breaths and have a break if you need to. Check out some of our wellbeing and mindfulness advice https://sysrp.co.uk/wellbeing-mindfulness
 
Keep little ones cool and comfortable in their car seats - use car sun shades on the windows as well as a child seat shade to block out the sunlight. Cover the car seat up when not in use to shade it and help prevent the buckles from getting hot. Use a breathable car seat liner and point the air vents in the back of the car towards the child where possible.
 
Reduce sun glare - wearing sunglasses and using the sun visor in your car will help prevent sunlight from dazzling you on the road and help you to spot potential hazards up ahead. 
 
Don't drink and drive – we’ve highlighted the importance of staying hydrated but watch what you’re drinking. If you are heading to the beer garden or a barbeque at a friend’s house and you are having an alcoholic drink, think about how you are going to get home. Make plans before you set off; appoint a designated driver who won’t drink, book a taxi or check public transport. And think about the morning after too, if you are drinking into the evening. Will you still be over the drink drive limit the next morning? If you need to drive, don’t have an alcoholic drink.
 
Look out for others - the summer brings out cyclists and pedestrians, and if you’re in the countryside it brings out the animals and farm machinery too. Keep in mind that you share the roads with many other road users, not just cars. Think about what could be around that next bend or over the brow of the hill and be aware of your blind spots. Slow down and give space to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Drive to a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.
 
Wear your motorcycle gear – just because the weather is hot, doesn’t mean the roads are any softer. Don’t be tempted to ride your motorbike in shorts, T shirt and flip flops. Make sure you wear the proper protective gear for every journey. Make your jacket more summer friendly; ditch the removable inner liner and get those vents open to take advantage of the air flow, while still being protected. Open the vents on your helmet and check they are not blocked. This will help to create air flow through your helmet, keeping you cool.
 
Above all, enjoy the summer. It doesn’t last for very long, so let’s make the most of it.
 
Until next time, stay safe out in the sunshine.
 
Joanne