From glare to getaway gridlock, driving in the summer comes with its own set of challenges.
Prevent your summer adventures from coming to an unexpected stop. Here’s AXA’s top summer driving tips:
The dos of summer driving
Be prepared
So you’re prepared for the worst, keep an emergency kit in your car. You might want to include a first aid kit, a spare tyre, a portable phone charger or power bank, jump cables and your insurance documents.
Share the roads
School summer holidays means roads are much busier with all kinds of vehicles. Make sure you give cyclists, horse riders, and bikers plenty of space.
You’ll also need to be extra careful when driving through areas where children are likely to play.
Check your tyres
Tyre faults rank as one of the most common breakdown causes. As high temperatures can make existing damage worse, it pays to check your tyres weekly and before a long trip.
Keep a clear view
Maintain a crystal-clear windscreen by keeping your windscreen washer levels topped up, replacing worn or damaged wipers and getting scratches and chips repaired.
Dazzled by glare? Use your sun visors and keep a pair of glare-resistant sunglasses handy.
Top up your fluids
Engine coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, oil and windscreen wash are essentials for your car. Make sure you check the levels of each liquid and top up when needed.
On a long journey? Keep an eye on your fuel levels. It might be tempting to wait for the next fuel station, but breakdowns due to a lack of fuel are more common than you'd think.
Know your route
Technology can be temperamental, so it’s good to have a back-up for your sat nav. Research your route before hitting the road and invest in a road map you know how to use. It could even help you avoid the summer getaway gridlock.
The don'ts of summer driving
Don't drive tired
Accidents caused by sleep are more likely to end in death or serious injury. Try to get a good night’s sleep if you know you’ve got a long journey ahead of you.
When you’re on the road, take at least a 15-minute break every two hours. A coffee stop can help perk you up, too.
Don't leave your kids or pets in the car
Never leave vulnerable passengers, children or pets behind in your car, no matter how quick you think you’re going to be. In-car temperatures can spike dangerously high within a few minutes during the summer months, even with the windows left slightly open. When it’s 22 degrees outside, a car can reach 47 degrees within an hour.
Don’t forget to close your windows and sunroof, and lock your doors if you’re leaving your car unattended. Your AXA car insurance won’t cover you for items lost or stolen after you’ve left windows open or doors unlocked.
Don't get caught in traffic
It pays to plan your journey ahead so you can try your best to avoid roadworks or traffic delays. Check for updates via local radio or one of the following:
Don't forget the entertainment
Whether heading on a family holiday or a day trip, long journeys can be tough on young kids. Keep your little ones entertained on long car journeys by packing toys, and hone your observation skills with classic car games like 'I Spy' and 'Yellow Car'.
Don't let hay fever stop you
Frequent sneezes mean you’ll be more distracted while on the road. If hay fever has hit, choose a non-drowsy medication, keep tissues handy, and close vents and windows when driving to minimise symptoms.
Don't leave it to chance
If you don’t have breakdown cover yet and are thinking about it, why not consider AXA breakdown cover? There are four levels of cover, so there’s something to suit everyone.
You can purchase an AXA standalone policy at any time. Just make sure to get your cover more than 24 hours before any incidents to make sure you’re fully covered.
And if you already have an AXA car insurance policy, you can add breakdown cover as an optional extra when your policy is due for renewal.
