Summer Driving Tips
Learn how to stay cool, alert and prepared for bright sunlight, summer rain and busier roads during warmer weather.
Summer Weather Brings Its Own Driving Risks
Warm weather can make driving feel easier, but high temperatures, strong sunlight and busy roads can create different hazards from those experienced during winter.
Heat can affect concentration, glare can reduce visibility and sudden summer rain may make the road slippery after a long dry spell.
Good preparation helps you stay comfortable, alert and ready to deal with changing conditions throughout the journey.
Stay Cool, Comfortable and Hydrated
High temperatures can make you feel tired, irritable or less alert. Take water with you and use the ventilation or air conditioning to keep the inside of the vehicle comfortable.
Never wait until you feel unwell before taking a break. Stop somewhere safe, stretch your legs and drink water during longer journeys.
Avoid leaving children, pets or vulnerable passengers in a parked vehicle, even for a short time, because the temperature inside can rise very quickly.
Protect Your Vision Without Reducing Awareness
Low or bright sunlight can make road signs, traffic lights, pedestrians and other vehicles harder to see.
Keep the windscreen clean inside and out because dirt, smears and dust can make glare much worse. Use the sun visor when needed and wear suitable sunglasses that do not restrict your view.
Reduce your speed when visibility is affected and leave more space from the vehicle ahead. Do not continue at your normal pace when you cannot see the road clearly.
Simple Ways to Reduce Glare
A clean windscreen and a sensible reduction in speed can make a major difference when sunlight is low or intense.
Clean the Windscreen
Remove marks from both sides of the glass and make sure the washers and wipers are working properly.
Use the Sun Visor
Adjust the visor to block direct sunlight without obstructing your view of the road, signs or traffic lights.
Slow Down Early
Reduce speed before entering strong glare and increase the following distance so you have more time to react.
Check Medication Before You Drive
Hay fever can affect concentration, vision and comfort. Some treatments may also cause drowsiness, so always read the label and follow the instructions before driving.
Read the Warning Label
Check whether the medicine can cause drowsiness, blurred vision or slower reactions. Do not drive when the instructions say it may be unsafe.
Keep Symptoms Under Control
Sneezing, watering eyes and irritation can distract you from the road. Plan ahead and use suitable treatment before symptoms become severe.
Stop if You Feel Unwell
If you become sleepy, dizzy or unable to concentrate, stop somewhere safe and do not continue until you are fit to drive.
Do Not Drive Through Drowsiness
Heat, dehydration, poor sleep and some medicines can all reduce alertness. Open windows and loud music are not reliable cures for tiredness. Stop safely and take a proper break.
Check Tyre Pressure and Condition
Hot weather, long journeys and heavier holiday loads can place extra strain on tyres. Check their condition and use the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Check Pressures When Cold
Measure tyre pressures before the journey, ideally before the tyres have warmed through. Adjust them for additional passengers or luggage when the vehicle handbook recommends it.
Inspect the Tread and Sidewalls
Look for low tread, uneven wear, cuts, cracking, bulges or anything embedded in the tyre.
Do Not Ignore Warning Signs
Repeated pressure loss, vibration or unusual handling should be investigated before a long or high-speed journey.
Expect More People to Be Sharing the Road
Summer often brings more cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, caravans and unfamiliar drivers onto the roads.
Look carefully before turning or changing lanes, check mirrors and blind spots, and give vulnerable road users plenty of room.
Allow extra time around tourist areas, beaches, parks and rural routes where traffic may be slower or less predictable.
Expect the Road to Become Slippery Quickly
Sudden summer rain can mix with dust, oil and debris that have built up during a dry spell. This may make the road surface particularly slippery when the rain first begins.
Reduce your speed, increase the gap from the vehicle ahead and avoid harsh braking or steering. Use dipped headlights when visibility is reduced and make sure the windscreen remains clear.
Watch for standing water near drains, dips in the road and shaded areas. Entering water too quickly can reduce tyre grip and make the vehicle harder to control.
Do Not Take Chances With Water on the Road
Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide potholes, damaged road surfaces or fast-moving currents.
Avoid Water of Unknown Depth
Do not drive into floodwater when you cannot see the road surface or judge how deep the water is.
Slow Down Before Standing Water
Reduce speed before reaching the water. Sudden braking or steering while crossing it may make the vehicle less stable.
Respond Calmly to Aquaplaning
If the steering feels light, ease off the accelerator and keep the steering steady. Avoid heavy braking until the tyres regain grip.
Watch for Signs of Overheating
High temperatures, slow traffic and long journeys can place extra strain on the cooling system. Pay attention to warning lights, gauges and any unusual smells or steam.
Check Coolant Before the Journey
Check the coolant level only when the engine is cold and follow the instructions in the vehicle handbook.
Respond to Warning Signs
If the temperature warning light appears or the gauge rises unusually high, stop somewhere safe and switch off the engine.
Never Open a Hot Cooling System
Do not remove the coolant cap while the engine is hot. Pressurised steam or liquid may cause serious burns.
Carry a Few Essentials for Longer Summer Journeys
Holiday traffic, roadworks and hot weather can turn a straightforward journey into a long delay. A small amount of preparation can make the wait safer and far less uncomfortable.
Take enough drinking water, keep your phone charged and make sure you know how to contact your breakdown provider.
Never stop on the hard shoulder or in a live traffic lane unless there is an emergency. Move to the safest available place and follow the correct breakdown procedure for the road you are using.
Your Summer Driving Checklist
A few quick checks can help prevent heat, glare, traffic and changing weather from catching you unprepared.
Prepare the Vehicle
Check tyres, coolant, screenwash, wipers, lights and fuel or battery charge before a long journey.
Prepare the Driver
Take water, get enough rest and check that any medication is safe to use before driving.
Prepare the Route
Check traffic and weather conditions, allow extra time and plan safe places to stop during longer journeys.
Build Safer Habits for Every Journey
Summer driving is easier when you plan for heat, glare, busy roads and sudden changes in the weather. Good preparation helps you stay comfortable, alert and in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about hot weather, glare, hydration and changing summer road conditions.
How can I stay alert while driving in hot weather?
Take drinking water, keep the vehicle well ventilated and stop for regular breaks during longer journeys. Do not continue driving if you feel tired, dizzy or unable to concentrate.
What should I do when sunlight causes glare?
Reduce your speed, increase the following distance and use the sun visor where appropriate. Keep the windscreen clean and wear suitable sunglasses that do not restrict your view.
Can hay fever medicine affect my driving?
Some medicines can cause drowsiness, blurred vision or slower reactions. Read the label and do not drive when the instructions warn that it may be unsafe.
Why can roads become slippery after summer rain?
Rain can mix with dust, oil and debris that have built up during a dry spell. This can make the road especially slippery when the rain first begins.
What should I do if the car starts overheating?
Stop somewhere safe and switch off the engine. Do not remove the coolant cap while the engine is hot because pressurised steam or liquid may cause serious burns.
What should I carry on a long summer journey?
Useful items include drinking water, a charged phone, car charger, breakdown details, sun protection, essential medication and a basic first-aid kit.