Take a few moments and read these tips to keep your car, you and those who ride with you during these warm months — safe.
June, July and August aren't just the dog days of summer. They also can be the deadliest of times on American roads. According to traffic safety facts published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,374 people died in motor vehicle crashes during June through August of 2006 — the latest year for which monthly numbers are available from the federal government. And during the peak weekends of Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, more than 500 people perish on U.S. roads during each of those holiday time periods, according to NHTSA statistics.
To be sure, there are other times of year — around the holidays in November and December, for one — that might rack up more crashes. But crashes in June, July and August appear to have especially deadly consequences.
So the summer is no time to take a vacation from safety. Take a few moments to read these tips to keep your car, you — and those who ride with you during these warm months — safe.
Engine Drive Belts—Engine drive belts operate important parts attached to your engine, such as the alternator, water pump and air conditioner compressor. Belts should be checked for cracks, dry rot, glazing, uneven wear or frayed edges, and replaced if wear is detected. If drive belts slip or break, possible consequences include a breakdown, loss of air conditioning, an overheated engine or even loss of steering. The condition of the timing belt is also noteworthy, because when timing belts break they can cause instant, costly internal engine damage.
Lights—Summer days are long and bring more daylight hours, but you still want to make sure your vehicle headlights, taillights, blinkers, fog lights and brake lights are in good working order.
Exhaust System—Be sure your system is working properly and is free from leaks.
Managing Stress Is Important
Be sure to leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Don't wait until the last second to head out and plan your travel time realistically. To check local traffic conditions, use MSN Autos' Live Traffic page—one of the many helpful services of this site's My Car feature.
Before that long drive, get in the proper frame of mind by practicing stress-management techniques. When you sit down in the driver seat, take a moment before starting the car. Take deep breaths, not shallow ones. Pull the air in deeply, hold it a second or two, and then exhale long and strongly. Use your diaphragm.
As you clear your lungs and body of bad air, clear your mind of your stresses. Resolve not to think of them while you're in the car. Instead, pledge to focus on the drive and your responsibility behind the wheel to keep yourself and everyone else in the car safe. Consider turning off that cell phone while you're in the car, too, so you can avoid distractions and further stress. And listen to relaxing tunes.
As you drive, be sure to look far down the road, not just at the bumper of the vehicle in front of you. This will help you better control your car by giving you a view of what's ahead. It also will help you prepare for sudden stops or traffic backups.
Carry Emergency Gear
Winter isn't the only time to carry emergency gear. A breakdown can occur at any time, and it's best to be prepared.
In summer, along with the usual emergency kit items of a blanket, flashlight, rags, a red cloth or flag and reflective warning signs, you also should have bottled water, extra coolant and oil.
Extra food is good, too, especially if you're traveling with youngsters. Don't forget to bring the cell phone and an extra phone battery.
The Fatigue Factor
Don't drive if you're drowsy. Take regular breaks every couple of hours if you need them; the kids may need breaks too. Share the driving, if possible, with someone new at the wheel every three hours, according to safety experts.
At least ten percent of drowsy drivers speed while driving, according to an official at the National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C.. He said, there's a tendency to be irritable and impatient at the wheel when you're fatigued.
There are even worse consequences if you fall asleep while driving, of course. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates at least 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths each year in the United States are the result of drivers falling asleep.
Furthermore, an April 2006 report from NHTSA and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that nearly 80 percent of crashes involved some form of driver inattention within 3 seconds of the event, with the primary causes attributed to distracting activities such as cell phone use and drowsiness.
You know that you're fatigued when you start drifting from your lane, hitting rumble strips, yawning repeatedly, having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open, missing road signs or tailgating.
One additional note from the National Sleep Foundation: Don't assume just because your teenager is young that he or she has plenty of energy to drive alertly. A report from the foundation says today's teens need 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep a night but are getting far less. A typical 19-year-old, for example, averages only seven hours and 4 minutes of sleep per night.
The foundation estimates that half of the 100,000 crashes each year that are attributed to sleepy drivers involve young drivers.
Adhere to Safe Driving Practices
Don't drink and drive, and remember that lack of sleep can heighten alcohol's effect on you. If you're tired, one drink can feel like four or five. Review your medications, too. Be sure they don't impair your ability to drive.
Make sure you and all your passengers are properly buckled before you start the vehicle. Adjust vehicle head restraints to just about even with the top of the ears of each passenger. In this position and locked into place, the restraints can provide protection during a rear-end crash.
Keep children age 12 and under in the back seat, away from frontal airbags that may cause injury or death to little ones. Be sure they're seated safely, as needed, in child seats or on booster seats.
Secure heavy suitcases and summer gear so they don't become dangerous projectiles in a crash.
Keep your gas tank full. It may be necessary for you to change routes along the way, or you may be caught in a traffic delay caused by highway construction, a crash, etc.
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