Summer vacation is on its way and that means more traffic than usual. Keep your family protected during the busy season!
The summer months are upon us. It is time to enjoy the warm weather, go on family vacations, and hit the open road for some adventures. Summer is truly a memorable time for so many of us. Make sure to keep those good memories coming by taking extra precautions when driving. Summer is, in fact, one of the most dangerous times of year for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations reports that there are more car crashes and auto-related injuries in July and August, particularly. Here are some tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.
Why is Summer a More Dangerous Time to Drive?
One of the biggest reasons why summer is a more dangerous time for drivers is vacation traffic. Summer has become synonymous with vacation. The kids are out of school and people are taking off of work for those family trips. This means an exponential increase in traffic. More cars mean more chances for accidents to occur. Additionally, there are more teenaged, inexperienced drivers out there. Increases in traffic and drivers who are less experienced and, generally speaking, more distracted, means that you have to be more diligent than ever when you are driving during this time.
Summer also means it is construction season. With the thawing of roads after taking a winter beating, construction zones are set up in full force to make necessary and long awaited repairs. Construction zones bring with them things like delays, detours taking you down unfamiliar paths, and traffic jams. These all set the stage for drivers not paying attention or being extra aggressive as they fight to reduce delays caused by the construction zone. Be sure to slow down in construction zones. Merge as early as possible before entering the work zone. In order to reduce the frustration associated with delays, try and leave earlier. Leave some extra time in your schedule to anticipate for these delays.
In addition to an increase in traffic and construction zones, you also have to do battle with the elements in summer. The heat can have a serious impact on your vehicle performance. In particular, driver blowouts are a danger during the summer. Hot air means your tires will expand making them much more susceptible to blowouts. Tire blowouts can have devastating consequences and have been known to cause serious accidents. Be sure to check your tire pressure frequently during the summer months. Keep a spare tire in your car and check its tire pressure frequently as well.
On top of the heat, we all know that summer months mean heavier rain falls and flooding. Rainy road conditions mean less tire traction and limited visibility. Vehicles can lose control on wet roads, leading to fishtailing and hydroplaning. Keep your windshield wipers in tip top shape as they are critical for clearing water to maximize visibility in otherwise compromising conditions. Getting new ones for the summer is a good idea. Additionally, reduce your speed when it rains and turn on your lights to help ensure that other vehicles on the road can see you.
We’re here for you in the summer and all year long.
Getting injured in a car accident can upset fun summer plans like few other things can. Fazli & Associates is here to get you back on track. Let us take on the legal burden of fighting for your right to full and fair compensations so you can focus on your health, well-being, and loved ones. Contact us today.