Safe Driving in Summer Months

Whether it's a vacation to a seaside resort, a trip to a theme park, or on a journey across the country, safe travel is integral to a successful summer. Take a gander at our safe driving tips so you don't get beached on the way to the beach.

Don't Tire Out Your Tires

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the American Automobile Association (AAA) regularly expects millions of motorists to get stranded en route to their summer destination. Increased mileage exacerbates vehicle wear-and-tear, so AAA recommends checking out all five—yes, five—of your vehicle's tires: the four on the road plus your spare.

When checking tire pressure, it's vital to:

• Check your tires no sooner than four hours after driving.
• Use a quality tire pressure gauge.
• Find your carmaker's pressure recommendation; it's typically found on a sticker inside the driver's door, in the manual, or on the gas cap door.

As a bonus, inflated tires save money! According to the Department of Energy, fully inflated tires save 12 cents on the gallon.

If you find yourself without a spare tire if you need one, make sure to at least have emergency sealant and inflator kit, or a run-flat tire that will help that car reach a safe destination.

Stay Cool

Shimmering summer sunshine brings with it more than just sun-tans and sunburns; it also brings with it some hazardous heat.

Before voyaging off into the summer heat, make sure to keep your car cool by keeping coolant. Carchex recommends that you make sure to keep your radiator flushed and filled with the proper amount and type of coolant for your vehicle. This will prevent overheating.

Blazing heat also affect a vehicle's belts, hoses, battery, and rubber in windshield wiper blades. Regularly check them out for any hints of cracking or wear.

Weather Warning

Unfortunately, summer is not always sunshine. Sometimes it's also heavy rainstorms. Don't let the weather rain on your parade—or vacation plans—and remain vigilant about driving safely in turbulent conditions.

In Maryland, it's law that drivers use their headlights while using their windshield wipers. This ensures that other drivers can see you. You must also switch on your headlights when you cannot see vehicles in front of you, a product of comprised visibility during rain storms.

Slow on down on wet roads, as hydroplaning (standing water causing a loss of vehicle traction) can occur at speeds of 35 miles per hour and worsen at higher speeds. Even light rain poses a danger.

And, as always, follow the golden rule of safe driving taught at driving school: buckle up.

Special Caution for Teen Drivers

As a leading cause of teen fatalities, car crashes are more likely to occur during the summer. According to AAA, it's a time where drivers amount 20 billion more miles than usual. In fact, there's a 26% spike in teen car crash fatalities during this time.

If you have a teen driver (or a prospective one), make sure he or she gets the driving school education necessary to ensure safe driving for the summer and beyond.

Source:
http://newsroom.aaa.com/2012/06/aaa-expects-7-9-million-stranded-motorists-during-summer-travel-season/