With summer not far off, it’s natural to start thinking about vacation possibilities. But don’t forget that driving in the summer comes with specific road hazards. June, July, and August are some of the year’s most deadly driving months. In addition to driving itself, consider how hot weather affects you, your passengers, and your vehicle. At Novo, you know how seriously we take your safety. With that in mind, we present our succinct but detailed summer driving safety guide.

Most if not all the issues we’ll address here are year-round concerns, but their frequency spikes in the summer. Roadwork You’re more likely to run into construction during summer. Drive slowly and cautiously in these areas and give heavy machinery a wide berth. Distractions Riding with friends or family to a gorgeous beach or attraction-filled resort, you’re undoubtedly excited. But don’t let that divert your attention from the road for longer than a few seconds (literally). Also, be mindful of music, mobile devices, and other easy distractions. Fatigue Driving becomes tiring, sometimes faster than you expect. Take breaks to hydrate, stretch, use the bathroom, and rest if necessary. Intoxication Unless you have a designated driver, use cabs or rideshares when going to dinner, out dancing, to a baseball game, or any other event where you plan to have a few drinks. Weather Aside from heat itself, summer can bring an increased risk of hurricane winds, torrential rains (and potential flooding), wildfires, and more. Check forecasts regularly and plan accordingly.

Keeping the heat in your vehicle under control is a cornerstone of summer driving safety. AC Preservation To ensure your car’s air conditioning is always ready when you need it most, check the carbon air filter regularly. Replace it immediately if it’s dust-saturated or your vents have poor airflow. You may even want to recharge or replace the refrigerant. Heatstroke Prevention Never leave children – or anyone – unattended in a car during summer. Not for any length of time, not even if the windows are down. Kids are especially heatstroke-sensitive because their body temperature rises faster, but the condition acts fast and is life-threatening for anyone. Regular Hydration Keeping yourself hydrated while driving in summer is critical even if the AC’s running and/or it’s a short trip. Dehydration can cause fatigue and impair your driving. Timing is Everything Whenever possible on extreme-heat days, drive before 10 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. If that window is unavoidable, find shady spots to take breaks and rehydrate.

Address the following car components (or have a professional do so) before summer starts.

Cooling System Make sure your radiator is properly cooled: half-full of antifreeze, half water. You can likely manage that yourself, but you’ll want a professional’s opinion on the overall state of your radiator, hoses, and water pump.

Fluids and Engine Have your brake fluid, transmission fluid, and engine oil levels checked and topped up by a professional (unless you’re comfortable DIYing it). As for your engine belts, hoses, and other parts, they’re best left to a mechanic’s assessment.

Tires Change your tires if you or your mechanic sees bald spots, obvious cracks or punctures, worn treads, or bubbles. If they look fine, you’ll still want to check the pressure with a gauge and get them inflated to manufacturer-recommended levels.

If you enjoyed our driving and summer road trip safety tips, our summer survival emergency kit checklist has even more valuable info. And be sure to get in touch with us if you’re ready for insurance that rewards you for safe driving.