Taking the Blinders Off Summertime Driving

Published: June 2011

Tips That Could Save Your Life

Do you know which are the most dangerous months of the year for motorists in Alberta? If you think its November, December or January, you're dead wrong. Statistics show from 2000 to 2010, fatal collisions occurred most frequently in July, August and September – proof that summertime driving can just be as dangerous, if not worse than in the winter.

Part of the reason for the surge of fatalities during the summer is that people feel safer driving on roads without snow or ice. That can however lull them into a false sense of security, and increase their propensity to speed.

Like winter, driving in the summertime has its own unique hazards. It can include being blinded by the glare of the sun shining through your windshield, or by being caught unprepared by a sudden downpour, smoke or fog.

Another contributor to hazardous driving in the summer is the extended long weekend when many people are travelling on roads, specifically the Civic Holiday (August 1^st, 2011) and Labour Day (September 5^th, 2011) weekends which are two of the deadliest weekends on the roads in Alberta.

Here are some tips to lower that risk and help keep you and the roads safe:

Sun Glare

Depending on the angle of the sun’s rays as well as your surroundings, glare from the sun can be a problem on both sunny and overcast days.

Here’s how to overcome the danger:

• Observe speed limits; remember that the maximum posted speed is under ideal condition.
• Keep to a space of at least a four to five second following distance. If the vehicle suddenly brakes ahead of you, you’ll have a longer distance to stop and avoid a collision altogether.
• Keep your windshield in good condition and make sure it is clean on both the outside and inside. A dirty windshield can behave like a prism when the sunlight hits it, worsening the effect of the glare.
• Use sunglasses and/or the vehicle's sun visor.
• If the glare is really bad due to a sunrise or sunset, pull over to a safer location and wait for the sun to rise or set.

Rain

Rain is hazardous in two ways: it reduces visibility and makes road surfaces slippery.

Here’s how to overcome the danger:

• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Replace blades that streak.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated and in good condition. An under-inflated tire will fail to properly channel water away.
• Don't use the cruise control. If your wheels start hydroplaning, and the cruise control is on, the system will detect a loss of power and attempt to compensate. This could lead to a sudden acceleration, which could result in a skid.
• Try to avoid puddles. A puddle can hide a large pothole that could damage your vehicle or its suspension. Deep water can also make your brakes less effective.
• Avoid braking hard. When approaching a stop sign or red traffic light, brake sooner and more smoothly than usual.
• Look and plan ahead to avoid any sharp steering. For better traction, try to drive in any tracks left by vehicles ahead of you.
• If it’s raining so hard that your vision is impaired, choose a safe place to pull off the road and wait out the storm.

Smoke or Fog

Smoke or fog can reduce visibility for drivers, resulting in less than ideal driving conditions.

Here’s how to overcome the danger:

• Don't overdrive your headlights, reduce your speed and drive at a speed which would allow you to stop within the distance you can see ahead.
• Drive to current conditions as road surfaces are likely to be wet and slippery.
• Make sure that the full lighting system of your vehicle is turned on.
• Use low beam headlights or fog lights.
• Increase your following distance to compensate for the lack of visibility.
• Look well ahead and use pavement markings to help guide you on the road.
• Never stop on the road but pull completely off to the side and position your vehicle in a safe parking location. Turn on your emergency flashers.

Applying a little common sense to driving goes a long way. Always remember that you share the road with others too.