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5 Driving Risks to Be Aware of in Summer

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Summer means road trips, lazy days at the beach (dogs included, obviously), and plenty of time spent lounging around soaking up all that vitamin D. But while you’re going about your summer driving adventures, all footless and fancy-free, it’s good to be aware of driving risks that pop up as the weather gets hot.

Because after all, being careful and well-prepared on the road could be the difference between an accident and a near-miss. Or between a near-miss and nothing at all!

So before you go on your next road trip, add a bit of safety preparation to the rest of your planning – and then pick up your best friends or family, blast some music, and prepare to head out on the open road for an adventure…

Driving risks: 5 summer hazards

Without taking away any of the fun of the summer season (we’re not monsters!), here are some driving risks you should be aware of before you get behind the wheel.

1. Pedestrians, cyclists, and more

It’s the New Year and the weather is good. Double whammy! While people resolve to make the most of the sunshine and tend to their newly-energised exercise routine, you’ll likely find there’s loads more people out and about on the road. Joggers, pedestrians, families, and cyclists abound.

Beware that crowded roads can become driving risks quite quickly, especially where kids are involved. And no matter who’s at fault, the last thing you’d want is for anyone to get hurt unnecessarily.

So this summer, especially over busy weekends or in popular sports, vow to pay extra attention. A sudden influx of cyclists and pedestrians shouldn’t cause a problem for you, as long as you’re watching the road and not texting, eating, or otherwise engaging in distracted driving. A little bit of extra caution behind the wheel never harmed anyone!

2. Extreme heat

Sounds obvious, right? With summer comes heat. But bear in mind that the kind of extreme heat some parts of Australia experiences over summer can pose serious driving risks.

Firstly there’s the risk to people. In very hot weather, we tend to get dehydrated and drowsy – and you can imagine that this spells trouble behind the wheel. Then there’s the issue of people’s tendency to leave children or pets in hot cars. In a climate like ours, this can be fatal far more quickly than you’d imagine.

And then there’s the mechanical driving risks. New cars should cope ok, but remember that hot weather can lead to overheating in old cars (and some new cars) and engine damage. Check your coolant and oil regularly, and remember to park your car undercover where possible.

Long periods of time in hot weather can damage the paint too!

Man with flat tyre - which is a summer driving risk due to increased tyre pressure

3. Tyre problems

Ever noticed on your annual summer trip down to the ocean or to visit family that you pass more people stopped with tyre blowouts or punctures than usual?

True, it’s partly because there are more cars on the road over summer than usual. And because they’re often driving longer distances than usual. Both of which are summer driving risks in and of themselves, by the way.

But the main reason is because very hot weather can wreak havoc on your tyres. As the weather gets hotter, tyres gain pressure. If you’re driving from colder areas to hotter ones or are driving on a particularly hot day, there can be some pretty big fluctuations in pressure. So much so that tyres can burst, wear down more quickly, and cause handling problems.

So make it a habit to check your car tyre pressure regularly if you’re driving in the heat. It could save you from being stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck or trying to change a tyre in the blazing Aussie sun.

4. Smartphones and risky distracted driving habits

The most obvious example of distracted driving is, of course, using your phone when you drive. But there are also other habits which contribute to accidents and car problems. A distracted driver doesn’t have to be one on their phone.

If you’re driving further than usual and are tired – which is more common with summer heat – you should swap drivers or take a rest, for instance. It can be tempting to “power through” but you’re putting yourself and other road users at risk.

Eating on the go can be another distraction, especially if you’re having to take your hands off the wheel to grab that burger or open your can of Coke. Again, pull over for a proper break to eat and drink before hitting the road feeling refreshed.

It might not be illegal to eat while driving in Australia – but it certainly can be dangerous. Ditto with doing makeup while driving because you’re pressed for time and don’t want to stop before getting to your destination.

We get it. You’re on a long trip, you just want to get to your accommodation, the kids or pets are screaming, and you’re exhausted. But because so many people push the limits of both their cars and themselves over summer, distracted driving becomes a really big driving risk. Bigger than usual, anyway!

5. Animals on the road

If you’re driving in Australia, it’s likely you’ve driven past (or around) kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, rabbits, snakes and more. Animals on roads are especially common in regional and rural areas. Over summer, we tend to spend more time driving around these areas than our usual bustling cities.

To try and keep yourself and Roo safe, pay special attention at dusk and dawn when many animals are more active, take note of any warning signs regarding animals, and be careful not to swerve hard into traffic or anything else to avoid an animal on the road.

Driving at or slightly below the speed limit gives you a much better chance of stopping or safely navigating your way around the wildlife too. So definitely don’t channel your inner F1 driver this summer.

Or ever. Leave it to Daniel Ricciardo or one of the many other amazing male and female race car drivers.

kangaroo on a rural road. In Australia, animals on the road can be a major summer driving risk

Hit the road safely with insurance

So now you know about driving risks, it’s time to do a quick read up on summer car maintenance. Then you’ll be ready to gather your loved ones and start planning the ultimate road trip across Australia.

Once you finally hit the road, comprehensive car insurance can help give you peace of mind that if something does go wrong despite all your preparation, you won’t be left wondering how to pay for it. You can even add roadside assistance to your policy. Just in case that tyre blowout happens to you.

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