Warmer weather and sunny days are here again and for many of us, it’s the perfect time to go on that vacation. Or take that road trip your spouse has been asking about for awhile. The last thing in anyone’s mind is the possibility of getting into a car accident. Statistically speaking, however, summer months record the highest road accidents in the US and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August tops all other months. In this article we want to help you be prepared by sharing five essential tips to help you avoid auto accident this summer.
Be present & aware
There’s something about summer makes us loose and casual especially when we’re on vacation mode. We roll the window down and turn the volume up. While that is well and good, we need to make sure that all the basics of road safety are followed. Here’s a short list of on-the-road safety basics:
- Always wear a seat belt and make sure others in the car do the same,
- Keep electronic distractions to a minimum,
- Keep your distance from the next car,
- Watch out for erratic drivers
By just being present and not distracted you can avoid a lot of auto accident situations that are easily preventable.
Is your car road worthy?
Next, you want to make sure that your car is up to the task of driving a few hundred miles across country or to the next state. Summer heat puts a lot of pressure on your vehicles and that pressure and lead to failure at the worst possible time. A few routine maintenance checks would include:
- Making sure your tires are well inflated and have enough tread on them,
- Making sure your brakes are in good working condition,
- Making sure auto fluids are replenished and topped up,
- making sure that all lights work as expected,
- Making sure that the car battery is good and holds charge as expected
Stay hydrated
Another important tip to avoid auto accidents when out on the road this summer is to stay hydrated. The summer heat takes a toll on our bodies even when we’re in air-conditioned cars. Being dehydrated can lead to a number of issues including fatigue, headaches and even low blood pressure which can all make it harder to stay focused on driving. If you’re traveling with kids, dehydration may affect their mood and sleep, making the whole trip less enjoyable.
Take breaks whenever needed
On your way to the destination, it’s good to take breaks and recharge. The summer heat does take a toll on the body and sometimes you may not realize how tired or tensed you are. Even if you don’t need bathroom breaks, take a break and stretch your legs at the very least. Another great reason for taking breaks is to hydrate, especially if you’re traveling with young kids who may need help with their drinks. If you’re traveling with others who can drive, you can take breaks and take turns driving so that everyone has enough rest.
Have emergency kits on hand
While emergency kits don’t directly help you avoid auto accident situations, having one on hand can prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Outside of an accident, we can develop other health issues such as a cut, nose bleed, a headache, or even a mechanical issue that requires fixing on location. Without a helpful kit, you may have to wait hours for help to arrive. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road because that increases the likelihood of being hit by unsuspecting drivers.
What to do if you get involved in an accident
In the unfortunate case where you get in a car accident, you want to quickly look for an auto injury clinic near you and you can find out how to choose an auto accident clinic on this article. If you happen to be in Oklahoma City metro, we can help! The Brooks Clinic is a one-stop shop for all your auto injury treatment in Oklahoma. We have 4 locations and growing and our facilities and fully stocked with the equipment needed to get the job done. Our doctors are board-certified and have years of experience treating auto injury related conditions.
