Top 5 Misadventures of Summer Roadtrips

Summer driving may seem like a piece of cake compared to the snow and ice challenging drivers in the winter, but the heat presents its own challenges. So just like the winter months, planning ahead can keep you safe and stress-free on the roads.

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Below we take a look at some of the most common issues and how to get around them:

1. Drowned Key Fobs

The remote control key fob is now the standard way of opening your car. However, what happens if you damage the fob, perhaps by over-enthusiastically running into the sea before storing it somewhere safe!

The majority of cars have alternative ways of opening them, which is stated in the handbook, so knowing where and how this works will get you back into your car. It’s important to read this before you need it, as your handbook will likely be in the car you’re locked out of!

2. Caravans

Summer is the season of holidays, and you’ll see more caravans on the road than you will any other time of year.

Caravans have slightly different rules of the road to cars; they don’t legally require brake or indicator lights for daytime driving, so they can’t give warning when turning or braking. Please be mindful of this and give them plenty of space!

If you’re the caravan owner, make sure to maintain it in the same way that you maintain your car, such as checking the tyres.

3. Fatigue

Taking breaks when driving for long periods is always important, but the heat in the summer can leave you more tired than usual. If you’re driving for over 3 hours, then you should have at least one 20-minute break. On longer trips, a rest is recommended around every 2 hours.

When taking a rest, ensure that you’ve parked in a safe and legal place. If you’re on a motorway, you cannot stop on the hard shoulder, so you will need to travel until the next exit or service station. If you choose the latter, then you can also get a drink of coffee to keep you awake and alert.

4. Hayfever

Hayfever is becoming increasingly common and more and more people are becoming affected. When you’re driving at a high speed and a bout of sneezing come along, you can lose your vision for split seconds. Before this happens, try to slow down significantly.

To avoid the effects of hayfever, make sure you keep your car clean by vacuuming regularly. If you take medication, avoid any that will make you drowsy. Wear sunglasses to block out sunlight and pollen and make sure you have some tissues available.

You should also keep the windows closed to prevent pollen entering the car. However, closing your window in a hot car isn’t an enthralling prospect. This is where air conditioning comes in, and we can help you keep your system in top condition with our Air Conditioning Maintenance service offer.

5. Fire

Hot summers can result in the ground and roadside vegetation becoming completely dry. All it takes is one cigarette end to start a fire, and this isn’t as uncommon as you’d think.

When driving near a blaze, visibility may be reduced due to the smoke and this can cause congestion on the roads. It’s also likely that the emergency services will be rushing to the scene so you will need to keep an eye out for them.

If you want to make sure your car is fit and roadworthy before your trip, do give us a call and book in for our summer health check. Tel: 01442 871234.

You can also find more tips on our website, such as: