IS SUMMER DRIVING IN A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE DANGEROUS?

Car experts have recently claimed that summer is a more dangerous time for driving than winter, because drivers stop taking extra care due to the misconception that the roads are safe. This complacency leads to more accidents actually occurring in summer, thus it is clear that you should maintain caution when driving year round, and not limit it to the winter months. Although the majority of people associate dangerous driving conditions with snow, ice and dark nights, it is clear through the number of accidents in summer that this is not exclusively the case.

Furthermore, with the added responsibility of driving a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, and the size and weight of the vehicle making it harder to manoeuvre around tricky areas, it is vitally important to concentrate and keep safe on the roads this summer. This is why we’ve compiled a list of top tips for summer driving.

  • If you use winter tyres, these should be changed to all-season tyres to avoid rapid wear.
  • Make sure tyres are correctly inflated – low pressure as a result of heat reduce fuel economy and contribute to blow out accidents.
  • Check oil regularly, as the heat can make engine oil thin out and therefore it does not lubricate the engine correctly.
  • It is also important to regularly check brake fluid levels, windscreen washer fluid and coolant in order to avoid your engine overheating.
  • The heat can often make batteries fail, particularly if they’re old, so it seems logical to get your batteries checked and replaced if necessary.
  • Pack an emergency travel kit in the back, especially if you’re doing a long journey, including a torch, basic tools and flairs, jumper cables, and some non-perishable food and water.
  • Try not to overload your vehicle. This can cause issues with tyre pressure, fuel economy and safety. Furthermore, if items are piled too high, they block the driver’s view and therefore can cause accidents.
  • Do not drive fatigued – summer weather tires people out, but you should drive with caution and, if necessary, take short naps.
  • Lastly, WAV’s should be driven slightly more slowly than normal if you are towing –  sudden lane changes and sharp lane changes put pressure on the engine. Your WAV must be driven with more care than other cars, to insure the vehicle stays working perfectly and to keep the passengers safe.
  • Lastly, be aware of hay fever. It doesn’t sound serious, but sneezing constantly while driving at 70mph on a motorway can drastically reduce both your concentration and your vision. Make sure, if you suffer from hay fever that you’re stocked up with non-drowsy remedies, and keeping a tissue on hand while driving will make your journey more comfortable.

These are just a few things that become especially important to remember in summer, and hopefully our list has helped bring the most important issues to light.

 

 

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Lewis Reed Group

With over 20 years experience producing and selling wheelchair accessible vehicles in the UK, you can be sure that we can offer excellent customer service with a level of knowledge that is completely unrivalled.