Summer is a perfect time to get out of the house, go on long drives to a beach or cabin and spend the following days vacationing. Yet, driving dangers do not stop because it is summer. Many people suffer from car accidents because of drunkenness, distractions and recklessness.
There are some unique dangers specific to summer that drivers should be aware of, including:
Overheating and heat stroke
2023 was the hottest summer recorded, and it is believed that the summer of 2024 may have it beat. For many people, the summer heat is already underway. As a result, people are suffering from overheating and heat stroke.
Drivers may be especially prone to overheating. Cars that sit out in the sun all day can feel like saunas, and drivers are often in direct sunlight wherever they go. Overheating while driving could cause drivers to become dizzy and faint. Over time, a driver may experience heat stroke, which could cause them to pass out behind the wheel and cause an accident. One of the best ways to beat the heat is to stay hydrated.
Driving in sandals
Since it is summer, many people are wearing sandals. While there are no laws that make drivers wear shoes, wearing sandals can lead to auto accidents. Sandals do not provide the same traction as shoes and, as a result, could cause a driver’s foot to slip on the brake or gas pedal. Another danger of wearing sandals while driving is that the sandals may come loose and catch on a brake pedal, making it harder for a driver to press on the brake to avoid an accident.
Suffering from an auto accident can ruin the entire summer. Drivers who have suffered injuries as a result of another driver’s actions can seek legal help to begin an auto accident case.