Is It Safe To Drive In Hot Weather
Extreme heat is common throughout Australia in the summer months. Extremely hot temperatures over 35° C can be quite dangerous for drivers, and if you want to stay safe, it’s important to understand the dangers of driving in high temperatures, and how you can drive safely in the summer heat.
So in this guide from LTrent Driving School, we’ll discuss a few tips for staying safe while driving in hot weather. Read on, and make sure you’re prepared for the heat!
1. Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Works Properly
Air conditioning is essential for beating the summer heat, particularly on a long trip. Even if you drive with your windows down, extreme temperatures may cause you to begin to overheat.
Not only is it uncomfortable and distracting to be too hot when you’re driving, but this can also lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can impair your ability to drive properly and can even be life-threatening.
So make sure your air conditioning works, and get it fixed if it doesn’t. It’s worth it to keep yourself safe while you drive in hot weather.
2. Get Your Car’s Cooling System Checked Before Hot Weather Starts
Cars tend to get very hot when operating, and car cooling systems don’t work as well in very hot weather. Even if you haven’t noticed issues with your radiator, fan, coolant, and other systems, it’s a good idea to have your car checked before hot summer temperatures.
In addition, when driving, keep an eye on the car’s temperature gauge. If it looks abnormally high, you should look into getting repairs ASAP – or you may get stuck on the side of the road with an overheated car in the middle of the hot summer, which can be dangerous.
3. Never Leave A Child Or Pet In The Car During The Heat
In a parked vehicle in the sun, inside temperatures will reach up to 15-17° C higher than the ambient air after just 1 hour. So if it’s 40° C outside, your car can reach a blistering 55° C inside your car after just an hour.
This is why you should absolutely never leave kids or pets inside your car during the hot summer months. Even when left for just a few minutes, temperatures climb enormously, and can be potentially lethal.
4. Keep An Emergency Kit In Your Car
Keeping an emergency kit with a few litres of water, non-perishable snacks, basic hand tools, jumper cables, road flares, a flashlight, and other safety essentials is a good idea. This way, if you break down in the summer, you can stay safe and comfortable until roadside assistance vehicles reach you.
Follow These Tips To Drive Safely In The Hot Weather
If you’d like more information about driving safely in hot weather as a learner driver, the instructors at LTrent Driving School are here to help. Contact us online to schedule lessons in VIC or NSW today. For NSW Learner Drivers, you can also complete the Safer Drivers Course accounting for 20 logbook hours and giving Learner Drivers practical and theoretical knowledge to pass their Provisional Test.