Liva insurance care about your safety. Most of us here in the UAE have come from somewhere else. This means the roads and driving conditions are different to what we are used to.
You may be used to driving in snow and icy roads, you may be used to driving in the rain and on wet roads, so we wanted to share with you some tips for safe driving and car care tips for the extreme weathers we see here in the summer months.
- Avoid overheat:
- Your car: Most cars can cope with the summer temperatures, with fans that kick in to keep the engine cool but always keep and eye on your radiator and engine heat indicator.
- You: Keep a check on your own temperature as driving in the heat can cause you to be drowsy and lose concentration. Make sure you are fully hydrated and alert when driving.
- Check your tyres:
- Your car: Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure and have not been damaged by driving on exceptionally hot tarmac surfaces. If your tyres are over inflated, under inflated or uneven tyre pressures it can be very dangerous. Your car may not drive straight, or your tyres can burst.
- You: The good news is that with the correct tyre pressure your car will run more economically and use less fuel.
- Find the shade:
- Your car: Try to park in a shaded spot, preferably in an underground carpark, to keep the sun at bay and the temperature in the cabin down. If you can’t find a shady spot use a sun visor to stop the sun coming in.
- You: Always remember your sunglasses, sun strike can be dangerous when you are driving, you want to be able to see as clearly as possible.
- Have a first aid:
- Your car: Always have an emergency kit onboard your vehicle in case you need to do patch-ups or quick repairs.
- You: Make sure your kit includes water. Even a short breakdown on the side of the road will cause you to heat up quickly and start to dehydrate.
- Be proactive:
- Your car: Keep up to date with your services and don’t wait until a problem occurs to prioritize car health and maintenance.
- You: Remember to set you GPS directions and your Bluetooth before you start your drive. Using your phone is one of the biggest distractors on the road and can cause accidents.
- No pressure cans:
- Your car: Avoid leaving pressurized cannisters in your car during summer (even in the boot) as it poses a major safety risk.
- You: To avoid extra pressure on yourself make sure to allow plenty of time to make your journey, rushing can cause to to make bad decisions behind the wheel.
Additional to the above it is worth remembering to look after your family and loved ones ensuring you use your seatbelts and drive within the speed limits and laws of the roads in the UAE.
PS. Now is a good time to check your drivers license has not expired.