Sunday, July 1, 2012

5 Ways To Drive Safe This Summer


Now that the summer months are here, you're probably driving more. It's important to understand that safety is still extremely important during summer months, even if road conditions are improving. To help you stay safe while driving this summer, here are 5 essential driving tips that you should consider before taking your next road trip:
1. Always make sure to check your fluids before embarking on a long road trip: One of the easiest way to ensure that you will have safe driving experiences this summer is to make sure that all the fluid levels in your vehicle are where they need to be. This means checking your oil and getting an oil change if needed, making sure you have plenty of windshield wiper fluid, and double-checking your brake fluid. It's easy to forget about your fluid levels-especially when you are busy planning a long road trip-but it's extremely important.
2. Check all of the lights on your vehicle to increase the chance of being seen: In the summer months, people tend to stay out later because the sun sets later in the day. Because of this fact, it's important to check all of the lights on your vehicle as a way to increase the chance of being seen at night. Visibility is significantly lower than during the day, and for that reason, you want to make sure that other drivers can see your car at night. Never go out driving at night if your headlights or brake lights are broken. It's an easy way to get in an accident.
3. Check the inner-workings of your car to make sure everything is working properly: The winter weather can wreak havoc on the nuts and bolts of your vehicle. It's important to take some time to check the status of the major components that help your vehicle run smoothly. If you are planning on taking your vehicle on a long trip, you should make sure that you have things like your engine, your belt, your battery, and your radiator looked at before leaving.
4. Make sure your tires are ready for the summer months: Checking the health of your tires is probably one of the most important things you should do before going on long drives in your car this summer. If your tires were damaged or worn-down during the winter months, it's important to have them fixed or replaced in time for the summer. People tend to drive more during the summer, and bad tires can cause a lot of unnecessary headaches. Get your tires checked and re-checked before leaving on a long summer road trip.
5. Make sure your vehicle is stocked with helpful items: In preparation for summer driving, you'll want to take out things like your snow shovel and ice scraper out of your trunk, and replace it with things like water, food, and repair kits. You never know what type of situation you'll have to deal with while driving this summer, so it's important to take time to be prepared. Making sure your car is stocked with any and all necessary items you can think of is just one way to ensure a safe driving experience this summer.

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