Although you won’t be brushing snow off your car or worrying about black ice, summer driving brings its own risks. We checked out some recent articles on summer driving safety and pulled out the best tips to improve your summer drive. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most important tip for driving this summer is to ensure your car is serviced properly before embarking on a long journey. Don’t wait until the light comes on! 

This includes checking your brakes, fluid levels, and tire pressure because hot weather causes the air in your tires to expand. Don’t end up on the side of the road, sweating profusely and trying to get roadside assistance, only to realize you don’t have any cell service. 

Even if you avoid a flat tire or an overheated vehicle, odds are you may be hitting some traffic. With school out for the summer, there are more teens on the road than usual and a lack of driving experience along with congested roads means a greater chance for accidents.

But it’s not just additional teens on the road; according to a study conducted by AAA, nearly 100 million Americans (that’s 4 out of 10 adults) are planning to take a family vacation in 2019. Whether it’s beach traffic or congestion on the way to a popular summer destination, esurance explains that drivers on vacation are often unfamiliar with the roads, which causes major slowdowns. Traffic jams can also lead to road rage, and therefore more accidents. 

Statefarm reminds everyone to keep a cooler with water and snacks in the car at all times to stay hydrated in the summer heat.  According to the National Climate Report from June 2019, the Pacific Coast, the Gulf Coast, parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England Coasts, and Florida have experienced “much-above-average” June temperatures.

Although it may be common sense, never leave pets or children in the car unattended. According to a recent report there have already been 21 heat-related car deaths in 2019 (as of July 16). Temperatures inside a vehicle can spike dangerously high in just a few minutes; according to NHTSA, even if the outside temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the internal car temperature can reach 110 degrees. 

And finally, though it’s a small detail, AAA advises against wearing flip-flops for driving. Flippies are great for the beach, but they are unsafe for driving because their flimsy soles can get stuck under the pedals.

So give your car a thorough check, pack some extra water, and put on some good driving shoes before you get on the road. And if you need some driving tunes, we’ve got the best summer driving playlist here. We hope your summer drives are safe and fun!