Forecasters are predicting continued high temperatures in coming days, and GEM Motoring Assist is taking the opportunity to offer advice that should help keep drivers cool and calm, even when it’s sweltering outside.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says: “Making long journeys in hot weather can be stressful, especially if traffic is heavy and you’re stuck for any length of time. We recommend good preparation and sensible journey planning to help you cope with the worst of the heat. Hot weather can be tough for your car. For example, batteries frequently take a battering, with everyone on board wanting to keep phones and tablets fully charged, and holiday journeys in stop-start traffic. That’s why we encourage you to carry out some basic checks before a long summer journey, and to ensure you keep your eye on the car for any signs and symptoms of trouble.”
GEM has issued the following simple tips to assist drivers and their passengers when the weather is hot:
- Drink plenty of water. Take a good supply of drinking water with you, preferably in a cool bag. Staying hydrated helps keep you in good physical condition during times of high temperature.
- Check your engine before you set off; in particular make sure your oil and coolant levels are correct.
- Do not leave children or pets in the car, even for short periods. In hot weather, it’s simply cruel and negligent. Besides, distress, dehydration and heatstroke can occur very quickly.
- If you do get stuck in traffic, keep an eye on the temperature gauge for signs of overheating. If necessary, find somewhere safe to pull over and let the car cool down for half an hour.
- If you’re likely to be stationary for a long time, switch off the engine to prevent overheating.
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