Safety on the road is critical no matter the season. Maintaining a safe following distance, refraining from speeding, and keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians and motorcyclists are always a given. However, as the seasons change, there are different hazards and things to be aware of when driving.
Temperature Differences
High temperatures in summer can risk a tire blowout as tires expand in heat. Higher temps also increase the odds of road rage. In cold winter temperatures, the road is more likely to be slippery, and flat tires are more common due to shrinking air pressure. Driver alertness can also be negatively impacted due to temperature extremities on either end of the spectrum.
Keeping a mindful eye on your tire pressure, using proper tires, adding extra stopping distance when roads are slippery due to cold temperatures, and staying hydrated while driving in the summer are all recommended in extreme temperatures.
Lighting Conditions
Summer months can bring bright, glaring sunshine while winter months can be dark, gloomy, or even foggy. That said, certain lighting conditions outside can definitely make a drive more challenging.
Taking precautions like using your sun visor, wearing sunglasses, using your headlights or high beams as needed, or pulling over until the lighting conditions improve – depending on the circumstances – are important.
Precipitation
Winter months can bring rain, sleet, snow, hail, you name it. These can make visibility more difficult. Precipitation can also cause roads to become more slippery, making it easier for vehicles to lose control and taking longer for people to stop when braking.
Slower, more cautious driving is crucial during times of precipitation. Whether it’s just starting to rain or you’re in a heavy snowstorm, careless driving just isn’t an option. Pull over at any time you feel unsafe operating your vehicle during precipitation.
Road Congestion
Road congestion is at an all-time high in the summer months due to students being out for summer vacation, teachers being out of work, and families traveling near and far. Summer months also involve more road construction, which also contributes to traffic being backed up.
During the winter, traffic often slows down. However, in the weeks before Christmas, traffic picks up heavily as many people are out shopping for Christmas gifts.
Times of road congestion call for extra patience and a calm demeanor. It’s also advised to leave for your destination sooner knowing that an increase in traffic can slow down your commute time.
Number Of Young Drivers On The Road
When school’s out for the summer, you can expect more teenage and college-aged drivers out on the road. While it doesn’t apply in all cases, young drivers are usually less experienced and more likely to make mistakes while diving, especially if they’re freshly licensed.
Due to the decision-making center of their brains still developing, young drivers may also be more likely to become distracted, act rashly, drive over the speed limit, or make last-second maneuvers.
Understanding the influx of young drivers on the road during the summer months, other drivers should be on high alert. Drivers should also be kind and patient with young drivers who are driving slowly, appear lost, or are making common errors on the road like following too closely as they learn through trial and error.
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Conclusion
Driving safely is always critical. With summer and winter months posing different problems, however, drivers should be mindful of such changes and act accordingly. From changes in temperature to wane and ebb in the amount of traffic, it’s clear that winter versus summer driving can vary.
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Magda
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