Tips for Safe Summer Driving
Contrary to common belief, more accidents occur on Ontario roads in the summer than in the winter season, according to Canada’s National Collision Database. Statistics show that August and September are typically the peak months for car accidents (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)). Furthermore, the Canada Safety Council estimates that 85 percent of all collisions are preventable. This is a terrible statistic, however, as Master Driving School, we believe that by providing Ontarians with more information about safety standards, we can change and minimize it.
We need to share the information about safe driving this summer. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that you and your family can stay safe on the road.
Clothing and Packing
If you are going to drive long distances, you should consider your clothing options. Avoiding dark colours and wearing non-synthetic, cotton, thin, and light-coloured fabrics will make your journey more comfortable. Driving in slippers may cause you to lose pedal control in a sudden situation that may encounter while driving. It would be a better choice to wear shoes instead of slippers. When loading stuff into the vehicle, make sure you have clear visibility out of the windows and your rearview mirror.
Buckle up Ontario
Ontario was the first province to require all drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt. Since Ontario’s seatbelt law first came into effect in 1976, the number of people killed and injured in car accidents has steadily decreased. Seatbelts save thousands of lives in Canada each year. One of the most important safety precautions is to make sure everyone is properly buckled up. If you are driving with children who are not big enough or old enough to wear a seatbelt make sure they are in a proper child car seat or booster seat.
Planned maintenance
You should have your vehicle inspected before making any driving plans. It is critical to get your car ready for holiday road trips. To prevent a breakdown that could ruin your journey, you may repair or replace worn parts with an inspection. Check all tires, including the spare tire, for condition and pressure. Replace your windshield wiper blades if they are worn or cracked. Make sure all lights work properly. Keep a flashlight, flares and first aid kit at a place that can be easily reached in an emergency.
Sun glare
Because of its restricting visibility, sun glare is also a major contributing factor to accidents. Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car to help minimize sun glare. Use your car’s sun visor to protect yourself. Don’t be afraid to pull over if the sun is shining too brightly in your eyes.
Giving a break
Even if you have taken all the precautions, you might forget to take a break while driving. This will cause you to be distracted and physically tired. Therefore, remember to take a 20-minute break every 2-3 hours. You should walk during your breaks to increase your blood circulation.
Not to drive while fatigued
We love to travel long distances. This creates the temptation to drive for extended periods. On the other hand, any of our routes is quite monotonous, which is another factor that can make a driver sleepy. Fatigue is a type of impairment. If you feel fatigued, get some rest before getting behind the wheel. A stretch break keeps the driver alert by increasing blood circulation and makes the journey more enjoyable for passengers.
Impaired driving
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. According to Insurance Corporation of BC statistics, the majority of alcohol-related crashes occur on weekends during the summer (47 percent of incidents). As a result, you should be more cautious when driving in the summer especially on the weekends.
- When driving a vehicle, your brain must be alert and focused. Even small amounts of a drug or alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. Different drugs have different effects on your brain, but almost all of them have an impact on your judgment, hand-eye coordination, ability to focus, ability to see and think clearly, and ability to recognize potentially dangerous road conditions.
- You should never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. When you drink and drive, you endanger not only your own life but also the lives of others on the road. The best time to decide how to get home responsibly is before you start drinking. There are many options to get home safely if you’ve had been drinking. Consider having a designated driver, taking a taxi, calling a friend, using a ride-hailing service, or taking public transportation.
Sharing the road
There are more road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and children during summer, especially on long weekends. The combination of more vehicles on the road and more careless drivers behind the wheel leads inevitably to more collisions. As a result, you should always take extra precautions to be aware of your surroundings. Make sure the rear-view and side-view mirrors are properly adjusted. Pay attention to the blind spots. Drive carefully through any residential areas near parks and playgrounds, especially at all places where children may be playing.
Constructions
Summers in Canada are often associated with constructions that can increase the risk of collisions as well as traffic jams. It will be an advantage for you to check the most recent information and be prepared for any potential road closures and construction before you drive. Approach the construction zones with caution, slow down, and obey all warning signs directing traffic flow through the area.
Be prepared for an emergency
It’s important to have well-stocked emergency equipment to prepare for the worst-case driving scenario that may arise. Make sure you have the proper emergency kit and enough space in your car to ensure your and your family’s safety during summer road trips. A car emergency kit can help you get back on the road safely and quickly.
Defensive driving
You should keep a safe distance behind other vehicles to prevent collisions. Avoid anything that distracts you from concentrating on the road ahead of you. Be aware of your surroundings on the road. Check your mirrors and scan the road and sidewalk conditions frequently. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down to avoid it.
Master Driving School cares about you and your lovers.
Let’s drive safe and make our road safer!
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