Yes, the winter season in northeastern Pennsylvania is usually linked with hazardous driving conditions, but summer features its own risks. From road construction to out-of-town recreational drivers towing boats and campers, to motorcyclists and bicyclists and much more, summertime hazards oblige drivers to be extra vigilant.
The folks at Becker Body Shop want you to look at some of the more everyday summer driving hazards and how to best avoid them.
Summer construction can cause problems
Most construction happens in the spring and summer months, leading to roadblocks, traffic jams, delays and detours. As drivers, we need to pay closer attention to signs and markers pointing to detours and reduced speed limits. Plus, road surfaces may well be torn up, and metal plates might cover areas under repair.
Tips for driving through construction sites:
- Slow down to 10-15 mph below the speed limit in work zones unless otherwise posted.
- Try to avoid identified construction areas by locating an alternate route, if possible.
- Keep an eye out for workers and shifting traffic patterns.
- Expect delays and prepare for them in your travel plans.
More motorcycles on the road
Warmer weather is likely to bring more motorcycle riders. And these riders are particularly susceptible to serious and occasionally fatal injury if they are hit by larger vehicles. Becker Body Shop professionals tell us to think about the following when sharing the road with motorcycles:
- Be alert. Motorcycles are often tough to see and can disappear in your blind spot. Also, it’s often easy to misjudge a motorcycle’s speed.
- Look twice to be sure a motorcycle is a safe distance from your vehicle.
- Follow motorcycles at greater distances, as they can stop more abruptly than other vehicles.
Bicyclists can be difficult to predict
Much like motorcycles, bicycles can be difficult to see, and they can be even more defenseless in a crash. Furthermore, bicycle riders’ intentions can be tough to anticipate if they don’t obey traffic rules or use hand signals. To keep bicyclists safe:
- Give bicycles enough space – recognize their rights to use the road. Treat bikes like slow-moving vehicles.
- Provide bikers with a minimum 3 feet of clearance when passing.
- Be alert when opening vehicle doors, making turns and changing lanes.
- Be aware of the local regulations. Laws in many states, including Pennsylvania, provide bicycle riders the identical rights as vehicle operators.
Distracted pedestrians can be a hazard
Added daylight and warmer temperatures result in more people being outside and onto roads. Unfortunately, people walking outside are frequently more fixated on their mobile devices, causing pedestrians to hazardously pop out (often not at crosswalks) more frequently. Becker Body Shop personnel advise you:
- Look twice for pedestrians before making a turn.
- Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. They could be waiting for pedestrians to pass.
- Pay special attention to pedestrians at night.
- Keep an eye out for pedestrians who might be distracted while walking, as distracted walking has been an issue in several incidents.
Is your vehicle overheating?
Check your cooling system level and hose connections before heading out on a road trip. Sitting in traffic on a muggy summer day can cause your engine temperature to climb. If you drive an older vehicle, hoses can crack and come loose, leaving your engine with an inadequate amount of coolant. Look for cracking or blistering on belts and hoses. In addition, routinely check your coolant oil and transmission fluids.
If you do see your temperature gauge moving up into the hot zone, pull over and call for help. Wait for your engine to completely cool, around 30 minutes, before restarting.
Rain and floods often lead to accidents
Did you know that 43 percent of weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement and 46 percent during rainfall? This is considerably more than all winter-related accidents combined. This is because rain can affect the vehicle’s performance, as well as a driver’s behavior. Cars are unable to stop or speed up as smoothly on wet roads, at times leading to inexact timing and loss of control. In addition, puddles reduce tire traction, which can cause hydroplaning and fishtailing.
Moreover, drivers are inclined to have more erratic behavior in the rain, a big contributor to accidents.
If caught in a summer storm, slow down gradually but surely, turn on your headlights and make certain to be attentive to others on the road. If rainfall is so intense that it muddles your visibility, pull over, leaving your hazard lights on until the storm passes.
Some other tips include:
- Be particularly cautious in the first couple minutes after it starts raining. This is when the pavement is slickest.
- If you begin hydroplaning, turn into the spin until you resume control.
Tire blowouts
Obviously, the summer sun makes road surfaces really hot, boosting your tires’ temperature and expanding the air inside them. Make sure to drive with proper tire pressure to cut the possibility of blowouts. Keep in mind tires also take a beating in the summer months as a result of potholes not yet repaired.
- Inspect the tread depth and, if necessary, tweak your tire pressure to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Do so while the tires are cold to steer clear of incorrect high readings due to the summer heat.
- Be sure your spare tire has the proper pressure as well.
- Replace tires if there is uneven or excessive wear
- Avoid potholes, if at all possible.
Animals, especially deer, can be quite hazardous
If you reside in northeastern Pennsylvania, there’s little need to warn you about animals, especially deer, jumping out in front of your vehicle.
- Be especially attentive at dawn and dusk, when most animals, particularly deer, are most active.
- Don’t swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting an animal.
- Be aware of animal crossing or warning signs.
- Use your high beams when driving at night, when possible.
Other actionable tips to stay safe in the summer
- Apply the 3-second rule: Increase your following distance to at least 3 seconds (4 to 6 seconds for larger vehicles or during heavy rain) to account for faster summer speeds and slower reaction times.
- Beat the glare: Keep a pair of polarized sunglasses nearby and make sure your windshield is clean, both inside and out.
- Never leave children or pets: Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can achieve deadly levels in minutes. Make a habit of checking your back seat before you walk away.
- Steer clear of distractions: Set up your GPS, music, etc. before putting the vehicle in “Drive.” Distracted driving persists as one of the major causes of otherwise preventable summer crashes.
Speaking of vehicle crashes. Should you have an unfortunate accident that requires body work, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Becker Body Shop, located in Hummels Wharf, PA. For over 50 years, Becker Body Shop has been a leading auto body and collision repair center, serving Hummels Wharf, Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Sunbury, Northumberland, Lewisburg, Winfield, Danville, and beyond.
