summer-driving2

Summer is here! The festive season is in full swing and many of us will be hitting the road over the holidays to visit family and friends interstate, or just heading down to the beach after work for a refreshing swim.

While you may think that winter is the most dangerous time for drivers, summer can actually throw up lots of unexpected hazards. We’ve got five of the most unexpected ways that drivers can be caught by surprise at this time of the year.

Punctures


If you haven’t changed your tyres lately, they may be carrying some wear and tear from the harder months of the year. The higher temperatures of the piping hot Australian summer can lead to the higher risk of a blowout.

They may also be at the wrong pressure. Over-inflated or under-inflated tyres can mean your car is less able to tackle hazards such as potholes safely.

Make sure you come into Tyres & More for a free checkup. We’ll check your tread - it should legally be a minimum of 1.5mm - and fine-tune your tyre pressure.

If you tow a caravan in summer, make sure you give its tyres a once over as well, especially if it hasn’t been out on the road recently.

Hydroplaning in wet weather

Sudden summer thunderstorms can mean slippery roads and the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when built-up water on the road is not sufficiently pushed out of the way by a car’s tyres when going at regular or high speed. The vehicle then slides on top of a thin layer of water between the tyres and the road and traction is lost very quickly.

Prevent hydroplaning with a tyre made for extra safety in wet weather, such as Yokohama’s BluEarth range.

If you do find yourself hydroplaning, stay calm. Don’t brake or turn suddenly but instead ease your foot off the accelerator and hold onto the steering wheel firmly, steering straight. If you do need to brake, do so very gently.

More pedestrians!

There are a lot more people out and about in summer, particularly in coastal areas. They also have a habit of wandering out into the traffic. Make sure you drive slowly in areas where there are lots of rogue pedestrians in summer, such as near the beach, hotels and shopping centres.

Way more bicycles

Many cyclists take advantage of the warmer weather. Drivers and cyclists need to respect each other and be courteous.

In Australia, drivers who pass a bicycle rider must allow a distance of at least 1 metre when the speed limit is 60Km/h or less, and 1.5m when the speed limit is more than 60km/hr.

Driving tired

Many motorists drive long distances over summer, on hot days which can induce fatigue. One of the biggest rules of staying safe on the roads is to stop, revive and survive.

Stay safe and enjoy your summer! Drop into Tyres & More for a full safety examination or to upgrade your tyres.