How can I stay safe when driving in a heatwave?

Wide areas of the UK are set to experience high temperatures as another heatwave sweeps the country. In certain parts, temperatures could reach 30C, with high levels of both pollen and UV being predicted.

But if you’re heading out in the car this weekend, how can you make sure that you’re staying safe and – most importantly – cool? Check out our tips below.

Hydration is key when it’s warm outside, so make sure that you’re packing plenty of water in the car. Insulated bottles are a great way of keeping your water cool, or you may want to take a coolbox with you to keep things extra chilly.

Make sure to remember extra water if you’re travelling with pets, too, and stop frequently to allow them to have a drink.

Plan regular breaks

While it might be tempting to rush along to make your journey a little shorter, you need to make sure that you’re planning in regular breaks to stop and relax.

Tiredness can take effect at all times of day – not just a night – so if you’re feeling tired or unwell, make sure you pull over in a safe place and take a break.

Pets struggle in hot weather and while it’s perfectly fine to travel with pets in a cool car, it’s never a good idea to leave them in the vehicle when parked. Dogs struggle to regulate their temperatures, so leaving them in a hot car can be dangerous.

If you do need to stop, make sure you take your pets with you and keep them as cool as possible with frequent water breaks and plenty of shady stops.

Cars are under extra pressure on a car’s key components, so it’s a good idea to at least keep an eye on the instruments. Elements such as engine temperature are a great way to see if your car is having an issue, with a spike in temperature often relating to a coolant issue. This is something which often happens during hot weather.

You might want to check your car’s tyre pressures, too. Hot weather causes them to expand, so if they were inflated to a high level to begin with, they could be dangerous. Just make sure that they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures.

While it’s never nice to think about suffering from mechanical issues, breakdowns are commonplace in hot weather. That’s why putting a little preparation in beforehand can help to make things easier.

So pack a small ‘kit’ of water, some snacks and some sunscreen so that you’re ready should the worst happen. If you’re travelling further afield, then make sure you’ve got breakdown cover in place, too.