The sun’s out, and beach shores and camping grounds are calling. It’s summer vacation season – a time for families to build fun, long-lasting memories in new and different locations.
A summer vacation is only as great as the memories made. And most families don’t want to remember a car collision or visiting the emergency room during a vacation. Unfortunately, the summer can be a prime time for accidents, so it’s important to remember safe summer driving precautions.
As posted on the William Osler Health System website, there are a number of different maintenance and check-up opportunities to perform on your car before you head out on a trip. One important highlight is to make sure the attachments to your car – for boats or trailers – are in proper working order. They also recommend that you check to make sure your lights and other mechanics have been properly serviced.
There are also other essential safe summer driving precautions that go beyond car maintenance:
The Glare of the Sun
The days are longer in the summer, so the sun stays out much later in the afternoon. This can cause sharp sun rays that could distract drivers, either directly or by bouncing off other cars. The glare can make road signs, car lights, merges and other traffic changes hard to see. Make sure you leave plenty of space between cars to avoid collisions, sudden stops or switching lanes. Also, you may want to keep a pair of sunglasses in your car as well.
Car Safety Kits
If you do find yourself in a car collision, it may help to have a car safety kit on hand. You can buy a kit, or assemble one yourself. A safety kit generally holds items to alleviate some of the stress that comes with an accident. You can include items such as flashlights, blankets, orange warning triangles to steer other drivers away from the accident, and other essentials you can use temporarily until an emergency vehicle arrives.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s best advised that you consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. A legal professional can help you identify the costs of your medical needs, and what benefits you can pursue for compensation.
* Please note that the information in this article is not intended as legal advice, but rather as a general overview on the subject. If you are seeking legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
