It is often suggested by drivers that the winter is the most dangerous time of year to drive. There are no statistics to formally support this, though it is true that the winter brings some of the most difficult weather and road conditions on which to drive – between black ice and sludge-y snow. However, the belief that winter is dangerous can lead to some dangerous assumptions, and even a level of driver complacency in the summer.

The summer is no safer than the winter, and by some accounts even more dangerous; but why, exactly? And what should you keep in mind when driving this summer, to keep yourself and your passengers safe?

Weather Conditions

We all know what summer weather entails. While the UK is not best-known for its blazing sunshine, summer in the UK is nonetheless warm – and getting warmer, as a tangible result of man-made carbon emissions. The UK reached its highest-ever temperature in 2022, with a recorded peak of 40.3 degrees.

The consistently high temperatures have a number of impacts, both on the roads and in your car. Road temperature increases well above air temperature, and can melt sub-standard or long-dormant tyres. The UV rays in direct sunlight can also denature the rubber in the tyres, both stiffening and weaking them and increasing the likelihood of a blow-out.

Health Risks

The hot weather shouldn’t just have you re-evaluating your car. You should also acutely aware of the risks that summer weather poses to you as a driver, with regard to physical health. Dehydration and heat-stroke are common maladies, and much easier to contract than you might think; as such, longer trips across the country, such as for family holiday trips or festival travel, pose increased risks to drivers.

To limit the potential danger of suffering exhaustion behind the wheel, you might ensure that another person in the car has one day car insurance, in order to swap driving duties more often and give time to rehydrate. You might also take more breaks than usual, by stopping at service stations and taking some time in the shade.

Seasonal Dangers

As well as the direct health risks afforded by hot weather, there are indirect seasonal risks that come with said hot weather. For one, pollen counts rise significantly in the warmer months, bringing on hay fever and all the symptoms it represents. Between bouts of sneezing and streaming eyes, driving can become very difficult.

The summer months are a key period for farmers, and can result in busier B-roads through the presence of farm vehicles like tractors. These can back up traffic, and also increase risk as a result of the loads they might be carrying.

Lastly, the hot weather also increases the risk of wildfires, particularly in rural or agricultural areas. When driving through forest areas or dry scrubland, drivers should take care so as not to be caught up in fire or smoke.