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The Ultimate UK Summer Driving Guide 2020 (Staying Safe On the Road This Summer)
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Being cooped up because of COVID-19 for so long, it seems like everyone and their uncle are desperate to get on the roads and drive. In fact, while the number of people taking holidays abroad has reduced, the amount of people visiting locations in the UK is on the rise. Of course, that means more cars and the road, so it’s essential to know how to drive as safely as possible this summer. A topic you can read all about in detail below. 

Make sure you have access to drinking water in your car

It may seem obvious, but staying hydrated is essential to drive safely. This is because if you don’t drink enough water, it can negatively impact your cognitive function. A situation that you definitely don’t want when a split-second decision could mean the difference between life and death. 

With that in mind investing in some insulated, reusable water bottles that will keep your drink cool is essential. Be sure to pack enough for you and anyone else in the car, and also be sure that you have them to hand and sip through the journey. 

Keep your coolant full 

It’s not just the driver that needs to make sure they are topped up on liquids. In fact, your vehicle will need the same treatment. In particular, you must top up your coolant before embarking on any summer journey. After all, the risk of your car overheating is much higher when it’s 30 degrees outside. 

Allergies 

Sneezing while driving is not good. Unfortunately, sneezing is one of the most common symptoms of Hay Fever, a condition that over 10,000,000 people suffer from in the UK alone. 

The solution here is to make sure that you stay up to date on your allergy medication. Although, be careful as some antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness, which is another condition that will negatively affect the safety of your driving.  With that in mind, be sure to check for any side effects before you take your tablets. 

Be cool, stay cool 

Being all hot and bothered is not the most sensible way to begin a journey. In fact, getting into a hot car can quickly impact the driver’s mood. Something that may mean they are more hot-headed when they drive, which can result in more accidents. 

That is why you must do everything you can to control the temperature in your car. Especially if you are at the beginning of a long journey. One way to do this is to park in the shade, so the interior does not get so hot. Additionally, opening the doors and windows for a few minutes beforehand can help lower the car’s internal temperature, making driving it a much less stressful experience. 

Don’t drink and drive

Another obvious safety tip here, but still every year, people think that it is a good idea to get behind the wheel when they have consumed alcohol. Of course, it never is because it is illegal to drive when you are over the limit. Also, it vastly increases your chances of being involved in a serious accident as well. 

To that end, if you want a few pints in the beer garden, be sure that you walk home. Of course, things should become a little easier in this area as lockdown, and social distance measures start to ease. The reason being that you can get a lift with a designated driver if you do choose to drink. 

Watch out for cyclists

One of the few pleasures that the British Public are allowed this summer is a good ol’ fashioned bike ride. That means there are even more velocipedes on the road than usual. Of course, that means safe driving this summer means being especially careful of cyclists. 

Additionally, the good weather tends to bring out other road users like motorcyclists, horse riders. Then there’s the farm equipment that you will also see on the roads during this time. With that in mind, now is the perfect time for brushing up on your safety skills for driving relating to these issues. 

Clear vision 

That big ball of gas, burning in the sky, can put out some serious light. In fact, despite travelling over 151.56 million kilometers to this Blue planet, the sun rays are still strong enough to impair our vision when out on the roads. 

The good news is that there are some tactics you can use to minimise the effect of this. The first of these is to invest in some decent sunglasses for when you are driving. Be sure to look at their protection rating, and consider getting prescription sunglasses if you wear glasses on a day to the basics. 

It’s also a smart idea to make sure your windscreen is as clear and clean as possible. In particular, be sure to deal with any chips quickly, so they don’t turn into cracks. Additionally, keep your windscreen washing fluid topped up over the summer months and replace your wipers. This will help prevent bugs and other debris from getting stuck to your windshield and obscuring your vision. 

Tyres 

Let’s face it, selecting and maintaining the correct tyres is vital no matter what the season or weather conditions. However, in particular, the summer can put extra strain on your tyres and amplify problems like puncture and blowouts. 

To that end, you need to check your tyre treads and pressure before you embark on any journey in the summer. Short or long. If you are going to be towing something like a caravan, you will need to make sure that your tyres are appropriate for this. 

Sunshine not guaranteed

If only we could guarantee the sunshine in the UK during the summer. Unfortunately, this is not the case. After all, we can easily leave in the morning with sunny skies, only to dive back home in the evening amid pouring rain. 

This means you need to stay aware of what the weather is likely to do during your drive. You will then be able to adapt more quickly to any changes, and remain as safe as possible on the road this summer. 


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