by Joe Jeffrey
Advice issued by GEM Motoring Assist as temperatures set to soar
As many of us head off on our summer holidays this week, breakdown and road safety organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, has urged those doing so to keep their cool when travelling by car.
With temperatures across southern England and Wales predicted to approach 30 degrees by the middle of the week, GEM has assembled a selection of practical and sensible information that will help keep drivers and their passengers safe on journeys, namely:
– Plan your journey. Check the route in advance and don’t forget to build in breaks if you’re making a long journey. If you’re heading to the coast, expect many other motorists to have the same idea, so be prepared for queues. Plan where you will park at the end of the journey.
– Think about setting off earlier or later, so that you avoid travelling during the hottest and most uncomfortable times of day.
– Wear clothes that will keep you as cool as possible, but don’t drive in bare feet, flip-flops or loose sandals.
– Keep a large bottle of water in the car. Drink plenty during rest stops, to help you keep hydrated.
– Never leave a child or dog alone in a car on a warm day. If you see a child or dog in distress in a hot car, dial 999.
– Carry out some basic maintenance checks on your car before setting out. Check engine coolant and oil levels, tyre pressure and tread depth and windscreen washer fluid levels.
– Practise kindness and etiquette to other drivers whose manners may be not be as good as yours. Don’t get involved in altercations, as this will go a long way toward keeping you – and others – safer in hot weather.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said of the precautions road users should take in the event of extreme heat: “Driving in hot weather can be challenging, but we can reduce stress and discomfort by following some simple tips to ensure that we, our passengers and our vehicles are ready for the heat.”
Aside from fuel-draining air conditioning, what measures do you take when setting off in your car in the heat? It would be interesting to share your solutions below.
