Summer means many things, enjoying barbeques with friends, sitting in beer gardens, day trips out, and summer holidays. All of it is having fun, but it also leads to their been busier roads that can lead to more injuries and fatalities. 

Image by Larisa Koshkina from Pixabay 

While your safety on the road is down to the government and other drivers, a big part of it is down to you. There are some things that you can do to keep yourself and your family safe on the roads this summer: 

Make Sure Everyone Wears A Seatbelt 

You have a much higher chance of surviving a collision if you are wearing a seatbelt, these can reduce the risk of death by as much as 60%. Every person in the car should be clipped in for every trip. Regardless of how short the journey is, make sure they are buckled in. You should also make sure that children are in the correct seat with age-appropriate child restraints and booster seats. 

Make Sure You Are Seen And Heard 

This may seem simple, but it is important to make sure you are visible and when needed heard on the road. For this, you need to ensure all your lights are working, including your indicator. You also need to make sure your number plates are clean and readable. If you ride a bike you may want to look at Stebel Nautilus compact air horns for your motorcycle to ensure you are heard when needed. 

Wear A Helmet

When you ride a bike, moped, or motorcycle, it is imperative that you wear a helmet. Head injuries are one of the biggest causes of death for road users. If you’re involved in an accident, correct helmet use can give you up to a 40% better chance of survival. Having the right helmet means you need to make sure it fits correctly, is fastened correctly, and is worn at all times on the road. 

Be Mindful Of Your Speed 

Driving at excessive speed contributes to one in every three road traffic deaths. The higher your speed, the larger the risk of a crash,  and that the crash will cost someone their life. Make sure you stick to the speed limits and resist the urge to go faster than you need to. You may feel like you are getting somewhere quicker, however, you won’t if you never get there because your speed caused an accident. 

Avoid Distractions

There are many forms of distraction that can impair your driving, however, mobile phones are one of the most common and continuous concerns. Driving and using a mobile phone leads to being more likely to be involved in an accident. Using a phone hands-free is much safer, and you should avoid texting at all costs. Make sure your phone is out of reach and on silent when on the road. 

It is essential for you to stay aware and focused when you are on the road, especially as you use them more. If you are going on a long journey, make sure you take plenty of rest or share the driving with another driver.