Advance Motoring Advice for Driving in Summer
When summer is approaching, the longer days and warmer weather offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy your car on the open road. However even though the threat of extreme bad weather has passed, there are still potential hazards on the roads that can easily catch out an unprepared driver.
Temperatures during the summer months will rise, yielding in some places a lack of rain. Debris that is not taken away by rainfall can increase on the surface of the roads. Other surface issues such as oil, dust, and rubber can also be plentiful in areas where rain has not occurred often. A lack of rain can make the road more slippery.
Slicker conditions appear after a short amount of rain. The debris is still on the road, but now it is mixed with the water which is not running off in the drains. This condition can surprise the unwary motorist more than you might consider.
If you are driving after rainfall and the weather has increased in heat you should be cautioned that braking needs to change. You will need more distance to stop. You also need to consider reducing your speed when you go around curves since the grip of the wheels will be less.
The tarmac can also become much more slippery after a very long and hot dry spell, when the road develops a polished surface finish due to the heat and the constant flow of passing vehicles.
Warmer weather presents a number of adventures for the driver and it also brings out other potential fun seekers. Families on holiday with their caravans will become more noticeable and they can be a slight disruption in your speed. However, you dont want to irritate them. They belong on the road like you do, thus keeping your cool is appropriate when driving among others trying to have a great holiday like you.
Caravan drivers and holiday drivers often travel for more hours in a day. They can be on unknown paths, get distracted by children, or even the navigation device they are trying to use. You should be expecting these distractions, thus you are more capable to handle an unexpected action such as turning without signalling. These moves can also make your choice easier about passing them. Do not forget to be cautious around blind curves because slower moving vehicles may be there.
It is also important to consider leaving your sidelights or headlight bulbs on during the day when driving in the summer. Daytime running lights have been shown to reduce the risk of collisions by up to 12 percent, and with the large contrast between light and shade that the high summer sun brings, and the fact that most drivers will be wearing sun glasses, leaving your car lights on is a good way to ensure your vehicle is still noticed.
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