Summertime Driving

The kids are off school in summer and it’s the time most families take off for a vacation, either a weekend break or something longer while the kids are home.  During summer holidays, thousands of cars swarm the roads, all intent on getting to their destinations to have a good time.

You might anticipate that going on vacation would be the catalyst for safer driving, but sometimes it’s the one time that usually calm tempers flare.  It’s hot, roads are crowded with families in cars, and that’s when accidents happen. Accidents are not only dangerous, but they are expensive, and that could become all too clear when you get Arizona car insurance quotes from someone like after an accident.  So here are a few tips to help kick your summer vacation off in a safe, accident-free way.

First, absolutely do not drink and get behind the wheel. Oh, it’s tempting, especially for the young, when everyone else has had a few. But resist. There’s plenty of time to crack into a six-pack when you get to your destination. You’ll be safer for it.

Don’t succumb to road rage. A little bit of patience goes a long way, even when busy highways cause slowdowns and distractions.  Calm is the best way to deal with being on the road during a busy period. Breathe in and out, let your irritation fly away into the clouds.

One day this will go without saying, but today is not the day. Do not text and drive. In fact, turn off your cell phone if you can. It’s a distraction. Few things are so important that they must be handled in that moment, while you are at the wheel. Don’t post to Facebook, tweet or do any social media while you are driving—it’s a risky proposition, as a well-known surgeon learned the hard way when he lost control of his car and went over a cliff after tweeting. He died.  Learn from him.

Avoid any distraction in the car—reaching to get that bag of chips, looking behind you to see what the kids are doing, moving your pet from one seat to another. Any driver distraction is an accident risk and they can cause an accident. Pull over to do these things.

Be on the alert for other drivers who may make mistakes that could cost you dearly. Be a defensive driver.