Temperature Is Rising
The weather seems a little too good to be true at the moment. Us Britain’s are used to talking/moaning about our bad weather conditions, but that hasn’t been the case for the last couple of months.
But on the contrary, it seems the heatwave is now even starting to get to us. Potential hosepipe bans, sweaty nights and muggy offices means we are getting to the point where we have had enough. There’s just no pleasing us…
But, with an amber weather warning in place across the Country for the next few days, what precautions should we be taking on the roads?
Driving In The Sun
With temperatures due to surpass 30 degrees, it has been warned that road surfaces may be affected. While most motorways and national routes will be up to that of European standards and will therefore be unlikely to see the effects of softer tar, secondary and tertiary routes are likely to suffer.
“Tar doesn’t exactly melt but it does become more viscous. It sticks to your tyres and attracts all kinds of debris which can become dangerous. We are urging all motorists to check their tyres before setting off on any journey.” Arwen Folley, AA Roadwatch Editor
Top Tips?
So, just like we do when there’s torrential rain or never-evening snow days (like earlier in the year), here’s our top tips for driving in the sun…
1.Keep Your Windscreen Clean
Dirty windscreens can make glare significantly worse, as dirt and debris scatter sunlight and lower visibility further. That’s why it’s a good idea to fully clean your windscreen before starting your journey. Check that both the inside and outside of the glass are clean and free of grease. If there is any dirt or debris, clean it off with a soft cloth.
2.Avoid Travelling at the Hottest Times
The met office has warned us to try and stay out of the sun during peak times, however sometimes this is hard to do. If you are setting of for a longer journey, try to do so early morning or late evening.
3. Footwear
We get that it’s hot – and who wants to be wearing anything more than light sandals or flip flops? But we have to think sensible when driving. There is no law in the UK making it illegal to drive in any type of shoes. Legally you’re obliged to drive barefoot, in flip flops, sandals, six in heels and even 10 inch platforms if you so wish. If an accident is a result of inappropriate driving footwear however, the consequences can be serious.
Why not keep a spare of sensible shoes in the car for driving? Then you can put the flip flops back on when you have reached your destination…
4. Sunglasses
The sun visors on your car do a great job of keeping the sun out of your eyes, but particularly when it’s hanging low in the sky they can be effectively useless. Keeping a pair of good sunglasses in your car can be invaluable for when the weather’s bright.
If possible, it’s best to choose sunglasses that feature polarised lenses as these actively filter out the intense, horizontally-oriented light that causes glare.
5. Air Con
Have you had your air conditioning maintenance check done yet? It might just seem like another expense however the benefits are invaluable, especially for weather like we have at the minute.
Vehicle air conditioning systems can lose refrigerant gas over time, especially if they aren’t used regularly, which means that they may not work as well as they should. This is why car manufacturers recommend your air con system is recharged with gas and lubricant every 2 years. Test the market – we’re sure there are plenty of good offers out there at the minute and recharged air conditioning makes for a more comfortable drive.
6. Pets
Would you like to sit in your hot, stationary car with the windows up for a long period? Neither would your pet. There’s been plenty of news recently about pets overheating, becoming distressed and even dying as a result of being left in a vehicle all day.
Many people still believe that it’s ok to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or they’re parked in the shade, but the truth is, it’s still a very dangerous situation for the dog. The RSPCA advises that under no circumstances should a pet be left in a car alone on a hot day.
Get To The Beech
On the plus side, it is the summer holidays and it’s not raining – so the kids can stop clogging up the living room and can play outside for most of the day.
Have you managed to get some time of work as well? Why not get away for a week or two? Who needs to go abroad when we have this heatwave in tow?
And, for the peace of mind of getting home, hire your car with us…visit our website to see what we have in stock or get in touch with our team for a super summer deal…let’s make the most of the weather before it’s gone…