If you have ever stepped out of your car in Texas in July, it can feel like you have just opened the door to an oven. The sun does not play around. Highways shimmer, the steering wheel can feel like a branding iron, and short trips can take a toll on you and your car.
Extreme heat can damage your car, cause health problems, and even lead to car accidents.
How can you stay safe when the mercury climbs past 100 degrees? Here are safety tips for driving in extreme heat.
Get Your Car Ready Before You Go
Heat is brutal on vehicles. Many times, it has a way of turning little problems into big ones. A tiny coolant leak can result in a blown radiator, while a loose belt can snap when the road starts baking in August. Even your battery can fail because the liquid inside evaporates more quickly in extreme heat.
Before you head out on a long drive, especially if you are venturing into the more remote parts of the state, you may want to take a few minutes to give your car a once-over.
You may want to top off fluids, check belts and hoses, and change dirty oil. While it may feel like a chore, that’s much better than roasting on the roadside waiting for a tow truck.
Check Your Tires
The pavement in Texas can get hot enough to fry an egg. Under those conditions, tires in poor shape are accidents waiting to happen. Heat makes the air inside them expand. A blowout is much more likely if they are already low on pressure or the tread is thin. These blowouts can be dangerous if they happen at high speed or in an area with no shoulder.
One of the safety steps you can take is to take a few minutes each week to check tire pressure and make sure the tread is solid. While you are at it, make sure your spare is ready to go. Discovering a flat spare on a 105-degree afternoon is a mistake you will only make once.
Take Care of Yourself
People can struggle in the heat, too. Driving in triple-digit weather can drain your energy faster than you realize. Dehydration sneaks up, leaving you groggy and less alert behind the wheel. You always want to bring more water than you think you’ll need. Even if the air conditioner blasts, your body loses fluid quickly in extreme heat conditions.
You also want light, breathable clothing and a sunshade to keep your car from feeling like a sauna every time you stop.
And it should go without saying, but never, ever, leave kids, pets, or elderly passengers in a parked car, even for a minute.
Temperatures inside rise fast, and tragedies can happen quicker than you can imagine.
Be Aware of Road Hazards
Extreme heat doesn’t just affect you and your car, it can mess with the road as well, softening and warping pavement and blacktop, and creating uneven patches that make driving rougher than usual.
Also, glare from the sun reflecting off pale roads can reduce visibility. For that reason, you might want to keep a good pair of sunglasses handy.
And don’t forget about Texas’s other summer hazards: potential storms. Before heading out on a longer drive, take a minute to check the weather and road conditions so you know what you might be up against.
Plan Longer Trips Wisely
If you are crossing the state, timing can make all the difference. The heat is most intense in the midday sun. With that in mind, hitting the road early in the morning or later in the evening can make your trip more comfortable and safer.
Since cell service can vanish in some of Texas’s more rural stretches, you might want to download maps offline and know where gas stations are along your route.
Always Have a Backup Plan
Even the most careful driver can run into trouble. For this reason, you should keep an emergency kit in your car. Extra water is non-negotiable, in case you or your radiator needs it.
A few snacks, a flashlight, a portable phone charger, and some basic first aid supplies can make a big difference if you find yourself stuck longer than expected. If your car does break down, the safest move is usually to stay with it until help arrives, as your vehicle provides shade and makes you easier to find.
Respect the Heat, Enjoy the Drive
Even with preparation, accidents can happen. Extreme heat can contribute to mechanical failures, driver fatigue, or unexpected road hazards that lead to collisions. If you or a loved one is injured in a heat-related car accident, you want an experienced legal team.
Our Houston car accident lawyer can assist at Barrera Law Group LLC. We can help you take the next steps for a potential legal claim.
So, stay safe out there, hydrate often, and enjoy the open road, but know that if something goes wrong, help is just a phone call away.