Ohioans are no strangers to having seasonal weather interrupt their commutes — from winter’s falling snow to autumn’s falling leaves. Thankfully, it’s almost summer and those worries can go out the window, right?
Not exactly.
Rather, warmer summer months often bring on new driving challenges because of both weather and non-weather-related conditions. Below are three ways to help you adjust to the unique driving dangers that kick in during the summer.
Plan alternative rides
Taking advantage of the beautiful summer nights with friends and loved ones is a privilege everyone should be able to partake in. If the evening is going to involve staying out late or adult beverages, then you should be sure to plan a sober ride. Keep in mind drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving drunk driving.
For teens, almost a quarter of all fatal night-time car wrecks happen in the evening. For their safety, it’s worth giving your children rides to and from their evening outings until they’ve gained enough driving practice. If your teen driver has the summer off, you could take advantage of the extra time to accompany them on night drives and monitor their progress.
Check for construction
Since the snow melted, you’ve probably already noticed more road and other construction projects going on. Oftentimes, detours aren’t available and you have to share the road with construction crews. It’s important to be mindful of the construction sites and work crews who might become a staple on your daily commute or might interrupt your upcoming road trip.
Fortunately, Ohio Department of Transportation makes finding out about local road closures and construction easy with an interactive website and app called OHGO. OHGO also lists accidents, travel delays and weather hazards in real time.
Pack your sunglasses
Even if it’s not a snowy or rainy day, your visibility could still be far from perfectly clear. In fact, the light or glare of the sun could create difficulty while driving, especially when the sun is rising or setting. You can combat this with polarized sunglasses and using your car’s built-in sun visors.
Summer only lasts three months, so you should feel free to take as many short or long drives as your heart desires. But taking extra precaution can help protect you from falling victim to a car accident.