Stay Safe On The Roads This Summer: Top Tips For Drivers

Stay Safe On The Roads This Summer: Top Tips For Drivers

Summer is here, and what better way to celebrate than planning a road trip? If you’re looking to get out and about on the roads in the weeks ahead, here are some top tips to stay safe.

Image by https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-car-near-seashore-with-blue-ocean-1118448/

Driving in bright sunshine

We tend to think of winter as the most dangerous season to drive but there are risks associated with getting behind the wheel on bright, sunny days. The most common hazard drivers face in the summer is glare on the roads, which makes it difficult to see. The sun can also pose problems when it’s low in the sky. If you’re driving on a bright day, always make sure that you have sunglasses with you and use your visor to enhance visibility. If you have an old car, or your visor is damaged, look into sun visor replacement. If you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, you’ll need to invest in prescription sunglasses. Keep up to date with assessments and buy new sunglasses if your prescription has changed. 

Paying attention to speed restrictions

When the sun is shining, the skies and blue and you’ve got music playing, it can be tempting to put your foot down. While there are few things that are better than driving on the open roads on a warm, sunny day, it’s crucial to understand the importance of adhering to speed restrictions. Driving too fast increases the risk of losing control and sustaining serious or even fatal injuries. Keep an eye out for signs, and make sure you stick to the recommended speed. If you’re going too fast and you cause a crash, you will be held liable for the accident. 

Concentrating

There’s something special about driving in the summer, especially if you’re off on a road trip with friends, or you’re planning a vacation with your partner or family. It can be easy to lose concentration if you’re singing along to a playlist, chatting or staring at the scenery around you. When driving, it’s critical to focus on the road at all times. Try not to get distracted, keep your hands on the wheel and look out for hazards. It can take a second for the landscape to change, and you need to be able to react instantly. Avoid texting, making calls or changing the radio unless you can do it via voice control. 

Drinking

Many of us drink more in the summer, and we enjoy social occasions such as barbecues, garden parties and al fresco brunches and lunches. There’s nothing wrong with having a glass of wine or a cold beer on a hot day but if you do want to have a drink, don’t drive. Organize a lift home, book a cab, or make sure one member of the group isn’t drinking. Drinking affects reaction times and it can also impact your ability to make sound judgments. You may take more risks, and you may not be able to control the vehicle, even if you feel fine. If you cause a collision and you have drunk too much, you could face legal charges. According to the CDC, 29 lives are lost in the US every day as a direct result of alcohol-impaired driving. 

Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-concrete-road-490466/

Are you planning a summer road trip? If so, take these tips on board to stay safe on the roads. 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
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