Driving Safety in Hot Weather
Beware of Extreme Heat When Driving in Summer
With the arrival of the summer months, travel plans accelerate and road activity reaches its peak. However, in these days when the sun shows its most scorching face, people face an insidious danger that is generally not taken as seriously as icing or heavy snowfall in the winter months: extreme heat.
Extreme heat lowers the attention level of drivers, slowing down reflexes, negatively affecting the interior comfort of the vehicle, and increasing the feeling of fatigue during long journeys. High temperatures also directly affect many technical details from tire pressure to engine performance, putting safe driving at risk.
For a safe summer journey, it is of great importance to regularly maintain the air conditioning and ventilation systems, perform tire and brake checks, consume plenty of fluids, and take frequent breaks. Especially children and pets should never be left alone in parked vehicles, even for a short period.
Guide contents that direct to relevant information pages provide great benefit for more information on safe driving tips in summer heat, vehicle maintenance, and long trip preparations.
When thermometers reach record levels, not only our vehicle interior comfort but also our road safety is directly threatened. Scorching temperatures put all processes to a severe test, from the physical structure of the asphalt to tire pressure, and from the engine cooling system to the mental endurance of the driver. A minor mechanical stress that is overlooked or a momentary distraction caused by the heat unfortunately brings about serious crash risks in traffic.
1. Asphalt Melting (Bleeding)
Definition: With the extreme increase in air temperatures, it is the situation where bitumen, the binding material in the asphalt, softens and rises to the road surface. It causes the road to look black, shiny, and almost wet.
Dangers: This liquefaction on the surface seriously reduces the grip (traction) of the tires on the road. The braking distance of vehicles extends dangerously and steering control weakens. Especially in curves or during sudden braking, serious crash risks arise as a result of the vehicle slipping.
2. Overheated Road Surfaces
Definition: Dark colored asphalt absorbs sun rays and reaches much higher temperatures than the air temperature. While the air outside is 35°C, the surface temperature of the asphalt can rise above 60°C.
Dangers: This extreme heat paves the way for the tire compound to wear out much faster than normal and for its structure to deteriorate. In addition, heat waves reflecting from the surface (mirage effect) ripple the horizon line, disrupting the vision of drivers and misleading depth perception. The occurrence of severe skin burns in a possible two wheeled vehicle tip over or when pedestrians touch the road is also inevitable.
3. High Battery Load and Electrical Failures
Definition: Extreme heat causes the liquids inside vehicle batteries to evaporate and accelerates corrosion (rusting and wear) in its internal hardware. At the same time, continuously running the in car air conditioner at the highest speed puts a heavy load on the electrical system.
Dangers:The battery suddenly dying or short circuiting can cause the vehicle to suddenly stall (stop) while cruising or in heavy traffic. A vehicle suddenly stopping in flowing traffic or blind spots narrows the reaction time of drivers coming from behind, inviting chain crash scenarios.
4. Tire Pressure Increase and Blowouts
Definition: Due to the laws of physics, the air inside the tires expands in hot weather. The air pressure (PSI) in the tires contacting the burning road surface goes far beyond the limits recommended by the manufacturer.
Dangers:Extreme pressure can lead to the tire suddenly blowing out and shattering, especially while cruising at highway speeds. This is one of the most basic mechanical factors causing the vehicle to instantly lose control and result in fatal crash cases.
5. Engine Overheating (Cooling System Collapse)
Definition: Vehicle engines operate at high temperatures by design. The outside temperature peaking and air conditioners drawing extra power from the engine cause the motor cooling system (radiator, coolant) to exceed its capacity.
Dangers: The risk of the engine suddenly losing power, emitting smoke, or locking up completely arises. The driver being stranded in the middle of the road without being able to pull the vehicle to a safe area (safety lane etc.) lays the groundwork for major dangers created by fast flowing traffic.
6. Driver Fatigue and Heat Stress (Human Factor)
Definition: Excessive heating of the vehicle interior or insufficient water consumption (dehydration) increases the body temperature of drivers, leading to heatstroke or severe physical and mental fatigue.
Dangers:The driver's perception, judgment, and reaction times drop dramatically. Distraction, dozing off at the wheel, or increased aggressive driving tendencies due to the stress created by the heat result in lane violations and braking delays, taking the direct crash risk to the peak.
7. Overheated Vehicle Interior Surfaces (Greenhouse Effect)
Definition: It is the temperature rising up to twice as much compared to the outside due to the intense greenhouse effect occurring inside vehicles parked under the sun or cruising while exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. This situation causes the steering wheel, gear knob, console, leather seats, and especially metal seat belt buckles to heat up to the point where they cannot be touched.
Dangers:The driver exhibiting sudden and uncontrolled reflexes due to the pain in their hands while holding the overheated steering wheel or gear can lead to lane violations. However, the driver and passengers avoiding wearing seat belts due to the heated seat belt buckle directly increases the vital risk in a possible crash situation. Furthermore, this intense heat triggers driver stress inside the vehicle, making focusing difficult.
8. Dried Bug and Mosquito Remains on the Windshield
Definition: In the summer months, it is the density of mosquitoes and bugs that hit and stick to the windshield, side mirrors, and headlights while passing through wetlands and agricultural areas, especially in the evening coolness. With the effect of hot air, these organic remains dry rapidly and harden on the glass surface, almost sealing onto the glass.
Dangers: These remains accumulating on the windshield create massive glares and light dispersions on the glass when the headlights of vehicles coming from the opposite direction hit or when the morning and evening sun comes at a horizontal angle. It drops the driver's viewing distance and clarity to a point close to zero. When the wipers are operated, these dried remains can spread over the glass instead of being cleaned, further blocking the vision. This momentary or permanent blinding in the field of vision prevents noticing the vehicle in front or an obstacle emerging on the road, which can result in a severe crash.
