Drivers have been urged to take water with them on journeys in the heatwave and to have sunglasses to hand for the bright sunshine. But when it comes to the shades, there are some which aren't suitable for driving.
National Highways has issued advice to motorists as the heatwave is set to continue through the week and to the weekend. It has warned drivers to prepare for high temperature and dazzling sunshine.
Drivers travelling during periods of hot weather this week and coming weekend are being advised to:
- Take a bottle of water before setting out to ensure you stay hydrated
- Plan and leave plenty of time for journeys
- Check the weather forecast for your destination
- Check your vehicle before you leave
- Check travel conditions before setting out and, where it is safe to do so, during journeys.
Mel Clarke, Customer Service Director for Operations at National Highways, said: “It is always important to plan ahead for your journey and this advice is no different during periods of hot weather. Our advice is that everyone should check their vehicles, such as tyres, coolant and oil levels, before heading out.”
National Highways also offers some useful advice while driving in bright sunshine. You can reduce the glare from sunlight by taking some sunglasses with you, as bright sunshine can lower visibility and make driving more challenging.
However, avoid category four sunglasses as these have extremely dark lenses which let in very little light and are unsuitable for driving. All sunglasses should be labelled with a category number.
During particularly hot weather, make sure your engine stays within the normal operating temperature range. However, if it begins to overheat, find somewhere safe to stop and allow it to cool down.
Summer is popular for cyclists, motorcyclists, walkers and horse riders to get out and about, so please take particular care to give them space and time. Slow down on sharp bends in case there’s a vulnerable road user around the corner.
