3 Ways to Drive Safely This Summer

0
193
3 Ways to Drive Safely This Summer

When most people think about dangerous driving conditions, traveling through snow and ice in the winter typically come to mind. But, you might be surprised to learn that there are actually 29% more car accidents in the summer months than in the winter. In the state of Texas alone, there were 13,675 serious injury crashes in one recent year. 

So, what can you do to protect yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road as the summer months approach? Let’s take a look at three reminders to put into practice as you hit the road, soak up the summer sun, and stay safe. 

1. Watch for Common Dangers

There tends to be more activity on and around the roads during the summer. So, it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings, read signs, and be aware of anything that might cause a threat to your driving. This includes things like: 

  • Increased traffic
  • Road construction
  • Debris in the road (from tire blowouts)

It’s also important to be aware of the weather in the summer. While you might not be dealing with ice and snow, a summer storm can be nearly impossible to see in, as well as fog on cooler days. 

2. Avoid Distractions

Distractions in the car are among the top causes of accidents for teens and adults alike. Perhaps the biggest culprit is texting or using your phone while driving. A good rule of thumb is simply to put the phone away and don’t even look at it until you’re safely parked. 

If you’re too tempted, you can install apps that essentially “lock” your phone while you’re driving, so you won’t be able to use it until your car stops moving. 

Other common distractions include eating, putting on makeup, talking to other passengers, etc. Simply put, your focus should only be on the road when you’re behind the wheel. 

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

Because the weather is nicer in the summer and the roads seem clear, it’s easy to fall into bad habits as you drive. You might feel safer, which can allow you to become lazy when it comes to the most basic road safety rules. 

Don’t let yourself “slack off” on your summer driving safety precautions. In fact, it’s an incredibly important time of year to drive defensively, because there’s bound to be more traffic on the road. So, while it can be tempting to roll your window down, turn up your favorite song and relax while you drive, paying attention to others on the road will keep you safe and help you to avoid an accident. 

Whether you’re hitting the road with your family this summer for a long road trip, going to the beach on the weekend, or just traveling to and from work each day, don’t let the relaxed nature of the season keep you from being safe. Understanding the risk of summer accidents can help you to realize just how important road safety is. These tips might seem like nothing more than common sense, but it’s so easy to forget about them when you fall into bad habits. By keeping them in mind, you’ll keep yourself and those who travel with you safe all season long. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.