Safe summer driving

Stay safe while out driving this summer by following our brief guide below, including details on how Direct Line car insurance and breakdown cover can help if something should go wrong on the road.

Driving conditions can and do change with the seasons: in winter, you might get heavy snow, icy roads or rain; in summer, the sunshine can be blinding and your car can get hotter than expected if you get stuck in a jam. It therefore pays to be prepared for the ‘worst’ so that your journey is problem-free. If an emergency should happen you will also be ready to act quickly and efficiently. Plus being aware of road conditions is all part of staying safe on the roads.

It helps to have a checklist to work to, so here are some of top tips and advice to help you stay safe on the road this summer:

Repair and maintenance

It sounds simple but make sure you car is regularly serviced and has passed its MOT so that your car is in good working order and you have less chance of breaking down.

Check water and oil levels

The water levels are especially important in summer as your car and its parts – the radiator for example – are more prone to over-heating.

Keep extra water on board

It’s a good idea to keep an extra vessel of water in the boot of your car in case you need to top levels up. Make sure you have some drinking water on hand too so that you stay cool and hydrated.

Beat the heat

Ensure your vehicle is well ventilated. Built-in air-conditioning is now pretty standard in new cars. For older versions you may have to settle for a fan so check this works. A sunscreen on the back window can help cool things down.

Keep your distance

Soft road surfaces such as Tarmac can overheat in hot weather so make allowances to ensure that you have adequate stopping and journey times.

Keep it clean

Bright sunshine can also glare off surfaces and it can be especially difficult to see if surfaces are dirty. So give lights and windows a good clean to aid visibility.

Interior matters

Your vehicle interior can easily heat up especially if seats are leather or plastic. It can therefore be an idea to cover seats in summer, plus park in a shady spot to avoid climbing into a furnace when you get back in the car.

Sticker up

If you’re driving abroad then you will need to flag your car up with a Great British ‘GB’ sign – this is a legal requirement. In Europe you can drive without a GB sign as long as you have a Euro-symbol on your number plate.

Driving abroad legally

Certain countries also demand that you have certain car parts or equipment on hand in order to drive legally there. For example, spare light bulbs are compulsory in Spain and Italy. Check up on details before you set off.

Stay insured

Direct Line offers three types of car insurance – comprehensive, third party fire and theft and third party only. These are all valid in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, and during holidays between these places. If you are going to be driving in Europe you also get minimum cover you need by law to use your car in most European countries including all those that are a member of the European Union. You can find more details about this in our car insurance policy documents online.

Direct Line to the rescue

In case you do breakdown we also offer a range of great value breakdown cover including cover for the UK and an option of European breakdown cover that you can also purchase as a package with Direct Line travel insurance or winter sports travel insurance.

To take advantage of our car insurance, breakdown cover or European breakdown cover get an online quote today. You’ll be surprised how much you could save.