What to do about the extreme heat?
Staying indoors will help. Driving in your car, may well pose some risks of heatstroke and will certainly challenge your ability to focus.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, advises reducing the amount of time spent in the car.
“Life, however, does carry on despite the weather so avoiding the car completely is impossible. In these instances, take precautions to ensure you do not suffer from heatstroke or have a crash.”
• Avoid travelling during peak times. Try leaving earlier or later to avoid gridlocked traffic.
• Use your air conditioner. Open windows cannot regulate the temperature as well as an air conditioner. If your aircon is not working, seriously reconsider driving during peak heat times.
• Stay hydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, lack of energy and even fainting which become even more dangerous if it occurs while you are behind the wheel. If you think you are dehydrated, rather find somewhere safe to stop and seek assistance than continue driving.
• Keep your car maintenance up to date. Ensure your car has enough coolant to handle the higher temperatures.
• Inflate your tyres correctly. Underinflated tyres cause more friction and therefore heat. Additionally, you are at risk of a blow out with overinflated tyres as air expands with heat.
• If your engine starts to overheat, pull over immediately and call for assistance. Driving further can cause serious damage to your car.
• Wear sunglasses while driving to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Polarised lenses are most effective at reducing glare.
• When you park your car, try to park in a shady spot to protect your hands from getting burnt when you get in the car. The steering wheel and seats can easily reach temperatures over 40°C. At 35°C the interior can reach 47°C in just an hour.
• Do not leave people or animals waiting in a car even if you are just ‘running in’.
“Temperatures in cars can reach deadly levels in less than an hour, without a heatwave. Within that time an adult can suffer third degree burns and a child can die. Even cars parked in the shade are dangerous, it just takes slightly longer. Never leave your child or pet in the car, even if only for a few minutes.
“Whatever weather condition you encounter on the roads this summer, remember to keep these tips in mind and to always employ defensive driving techniques to ensure you arrive home safely tonight,” says Herbert.
Source: MotorPress
