Home Sections Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles Summer road trip: vehicle safety tips

Summer road trip: vehicle safety tips

Summer road trip safety tips

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ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS Holiday Season COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday May 26, 2022 | SOOKE, BC

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends


When taking your car, truck or SUV on a summer road trip, you want to make sure all the technical stuff is in good working order. That will include:

  • A climate control system is a complex system that requires routine maintenance for increased seasonal performance and operation.
  • The cooling system consists of a cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, radiator, heater core, heater valve, and various other parts.
  • A fully functioning brake system is crucial to your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other drivers on the road.

Of course, preventive maintenance is the care and protection of your vehicle against potential major auto repairs — a good idea at any time. A full range of vehicle repairs are done at Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke.

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Full range of vehicle repair services at Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke.

Safe driving in summer:

On a road trip, take regular breaks on long drives and limit night-time driving. Fatigue and decreased visibility can make it harder to drive safely and respond quickly to sudden changes.

Watch for children. With school out for the summer, it’s more important than ever to watch for kids playing on the street and riding bicycles.

dumont, summer, vehicle

Checklist for a safe summer road trip:

  1. Get your vehicle road ready. Perform regular maintenance like oil changes, tune ups, and battery and tire pressure checks. If you’re not sure what to do, have a qualified technician inspect your vehicle.
  2. Focus on the road. Leave your mobile device alone when you’re behind the wheel. Check out our distracted driving campaign and share the message so we can all safely share the road.
  3. Minimize road chat. Road trips can be a great time to catch up with others, but talking to passengers can be as distracting as using a cellphone. When you’re on driving duty, make sure your number-one priority is still the road.
  4. Don’t eat on the go. While the drive-thru may be convenient, multitasking behind the wheel takes your attention off the road.
  5. Take regular breaks on long drives and limit night-time driving. Fatigue and decreased visibility can make it harder to drive safely and respond quickly to sudden changes.
  6. Watch for children. With school out for the summer, it’s more important than ever to watch for kids playing on the street and riding bicycles.
  7. Check for fire bans in the area you’re heading to and keep an eye on the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
  8. Keep an emergency kit in your car. Especially before you head out on a road trip, prepare for the unexpected by keeping these items on board: 
    • Cellphone and car charger
    • First aid kit
    • Flashlight
    • Flares
    • Jumper cables
    • Candles and matches
    • Non-perishable food items, such as granola bars
    • Water
    • Blankets
  9. Check your travel insurance. Think you only need travel insurance when you leave Canada? Not so! Talk to us about the coverage you need outside of your home province, too. Or get a quick travel quote online today.
  10. Renting a car? Save money for you trip. Check your auto insurance policy and/or credit card to see if you already have coverage for rental cars.

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