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Here we are in the dead of summer…the kids are out of school, the days are getting hot, you’ve got road trips and vacations planned and have done all the necessary auto repair and maintenance to make sure you’re ready to go.

Not so fast, though.

This may not be directly related to auto repair, but there are some safe-driving tips you need to keep in mind.

• Watch out for kids: They’re everywhere now that summer’s out, and kids don’t always have the best judgment or awareness of what’s going on around them. We know you’re already a careful driver, but you should be hyper-aware and watchful when it comes to kids in the summertime. Use your car’s rearview camera, if so equipped, and maybe even take a walk around the car before backing up just to be sure. Watch your speed and be extra careful around areas where kids hang out – parks, ice cream trucks, residential neighborhoods, stores and malls. Be careful going around corners in neighborhoods, in case a kid comes darting out of a yard, and be watchful of lines of parked cars.
• Distracted driving: Everyone knows that you shouldn’t ever text and drive, but there’s more to distracted driving than that. Things like eating a burger, trying to keep rowdy kids in line, searching for a radio station or trying to find something in the console all contribute to distracted driving if you’re moving and behind the wheel. Count two seconds – one thousand one, one thousand two – if your car’s traveling at 70 mph, you covered 200 feet of ground in those two seconds. Insurance studies show that two seconds of distracted driving double your chance of an accident. Let someone else in the vehicle take care of those tasks, or better yet, wait until you’re stopped.
• Aggressive drivers: Unfortunately, they’re everywhere…drivers who take out their frustrations and stresses behind the wheel by following too closely, driving too fast, getting angry and making driving into a competition. It’s a growing problem; some insurance studies now show that up to half of accidents are caused by aggressive drivers. Keep an eye out for these guys, give them plenty of room, don’t take the bait, and above all, stay calm yourself. You can’t control how an aggressive driver behaves, but you can absolutely control how you react. Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt (everyone makes mistakes!), think before reacting and extend the same consideration to other drivers that you’d expect yourself.
• Long trips: You’ve had your maintenance checkup and auto repair done, you’ve got the car loaded down and a full tank of gas, and you’re ready for that ten-hour drive. Along the way, it’s a good idea to get out and move around every couple of hours. Spend a little time stretching, walking around vigorously and maybe even running up and down some steps just to get your blood moving again. Rely on light snacks, rather than a heavy meal that can make you feel drowsy. Cruise control can make a long drive easier and can help your fuel economy, but avoid using it in heavy traffic or if you start to feel sleepy. And if you’ve got another driver in the car, don’t be afraid to let him or her take over for a couple of hours. There’s no sense in being a hero!

Tires, coolant, A/C service…there’s a lot to be mindful of when it comes to auto repair and maintenance for summer driving. Just don’t forget the other factors that come in once you’re behind the wheel! If you’re heading out, make an appointment with us at Star City Tire & Battery Service at 6802 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke, VA for auto repair and maintenance before you hit the road.