When summer temperatures soar, your vehicle can become more than uncomfortable. It can become dangerous. On a hot day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise dramatically within minutes, even when the windows are cracked. Extreme heat can affect your vehicle, damage belongings, and create serious risks for children, pets and anyone who becomes trapped inside.
Summer driving also comes with its own challenges. Bright sunlight, hot pavement, traffic, road construction, sudden storms and extreme temperatures can all affect how safely we travel. For a crash survivor, summer driving can bring another layer of concern. Getting behind the wheel may already trigger anxiety, fatigue, pain or a heightened awareness of everything happening on the road. Add extreme heat especially when you’re travelling to medical appointments, physiotherapy, rehabilitation or other necessary appointments and even a familiar drive can feel overwhelming. Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It can affect your vehicle, your concentration and your ability to respond safely behind the wheel.
Start With a Vehicle Safety Check
Hot pavement can be particularly hard on tires, while extreme temperatures can put additional stress on batteries and other vehicle components. A few minutes of preparation could help prevent a breakdown or worse, an unexpected roadside emergency. Before heading out in extreme heat, make sure your vehicle is ready for the conditions. Take a few minutes to check:
- Tire pressure and condition
- Engine coolant and other fluids
- Battery condition
- Air conditioning
- Windshield wipers and washer fluid
- Brakes
- Lights and signals
Don’t Let the Heat Affect Your Driving
Extreme heat can leave you dehydrated, tired and uncomfortable. If you’re already experiencing fatigue, pain or other ongoing effects following a crash, the heat may make those challenges even more noticeable. Before you drive:
Hydrate. Keep water with you and drink regularly.
Cool your vehicle. If possible, allow the interior to cool before beginning your trip.
Take breaks. On longer journeys, stop somewhere safe and cool.
Know your limits. If you’re feeling dizzy, confused, unusually tired or unwell, don’t continue driving.
When Your Destination Is an Appointment
For many crash survivors, driving isn’t simply about going somewhere for fun. There may be somewhere they need to be. A doctor’s appointment. Physiotherapy. Rehabilitation. An assessment. A follow-up appointment. These trips can become part of everyday life after a crash. If you’re travelling during extreme heat, leave earlier if you know traffic or construction may slow you down. Build extra time into your trip so you don’t feel pressured to rush. Consider where you can safely stop if you need a break. And if you’re not feeling well enough to drive safely, ask someone for help with transportation when possible.
Protect Yourself From the Heat
When your vehicle is parked, use a windshield sunshade and choose a shaded parking spot when available. But remember: shade does not make a parked vehicle safe for a person or pet. Never leave a child, vulnerable adult or pet unattended in a parked vehicle even for a short period. If you see someone who may be in immediate danger from being left inside a hot vehicle, seek appropriate emergency assistance.
Things You Shouldn’t Leave in a Hot Vehicle
If you have medication or medical paperwork with you for an appointment, take it with you when you leave the vehicle and follow any storage instructions provided for your medication. Don’t assume something is safe simply because it was fine in the vehicle yesterday. Extreme heat can change conditions quickly and can damage or affect a variety of items, including:
- Medications
- Electronics
- Aerosol cans
- Perishable food
- Cosmetics
- Important documents
- Power banks
- Cell phone
- Perfume
- Lighters
Heat Can Also Bring Sudden Storms
Summer heat and humidity can be followed by severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain can dramatically reduce visibility and create slippery road conditions. Water can pool on roadways, and sudden weather changes can catch drivers off guard. If conditions become dangerous, slow down and adjust your driving to the conditions. Increase your following distance, turn on your lights when appropriate and avoid unnecessary distractions. If you cannot see safely, find a safe place to pull over and wait out the worst of the storm. Never stop somewhere that creates a hazard for you or other road users.
Summer Road Safety Starts Before You Leave
Before putting your vehicle in drive, take a moment to ask yourself:
- Is my vehicle ready for the heat?
- Am I hydrated?
- Am I alert enough to drive?
- Do I have enough time to get where I’m going without rushing?
- Have I checked the weather and road conditions?
- Have I secured everything in the vehicle?
Summer is meant to be enjoyed. But safe driving doesn’t take a vacation when the temperature rises.Slow down. Stay alert. Drive safely. Whether you’re heading out for a summer adventure or simply making your way to an important appointment, make road safety part of every summer drive.
