Have your tires needed air over the past few weeks with the onslaught of hot weather? Tire pressure is just one of the items drivers must pay attention to when the temperatures rise, to avoid emergency situations on South Florida’s busy highways. Personal injury doesn’t only occur as a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle – innocent bystanders can also be harmed.
If you’ve ever needed to pull over on a busy road to make emergency repairs, or to await a tow truck or other emergency vehicle, chances are you know too well the whoosh of air against you from the speeding cars as they pass. A vehicle losing control and crashing into your car, and injuring you in the process, is something that needs to remain in your mind should you ever need to pull your car over, either from a flat tire, a stall out, or other problem. Personal injury from car crashes are among the worst a person can receive, and as personal injury litigation attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, we have always taken care to ensure that clients receive the compensation they deserve so that they can pay medical bills and attempt to lead normal lives.
But we also believe in warning everyone about the dangers of South Florida’s roads and the potential for personal injury. Among these dangers are the problems associated with driving in hot weather. AAA reports that high temps can often “push a vehicle past its limits . . .”
“While many drivers think about the importance of readying their vehicle for cold weather in winter, it’s important to not forget about the need also to prepare for hot summer months,” said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Repair, Buying Services and Consumer Information. “Many parts of the country are experiencing extreme heat, which can take its toll on vehicle components. However, a few preventive maintenance steps can help keep your vehicle running smoothly.”
What should you do? AAA recommends paying attention to the following:
Batteries: Dead batteries are usually associated with the cold days of winter but summer can also take a toll on the battery, even more so than winter. AAA states that “heat and vibration are a battery’s two worst enemies leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure.” Make certain the battery is secure to minimize vibration. In addition, battery fluid evaporates faster in the heat, which can corrode terminals and connections. Another potential summer problem is faster evaporation of the battery fluid, leading to corrosion on terminals and connections. Make sure to check often and clean any corrosive build up.
Cool the engine: Just as your workout may make you breathe heavier in the summer, your car’s engine also works overtime in the summer. It is the job of the coolant to prevent the car from overheating. Coolant additives also protect the radiator and engine components. This is why it’s vital that the system be flushed and the coolant replaced periodically, according specifications in your car’s owner’s manual. “Between flushes, make sure the coolant is filled to the proper levels by checking the overflow reservoir. If necessary, top off the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant type specified by the vehicle manufacturer,” AAA advises. Also check all vehicle fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels.
Check the tires: Back to the problem with tires and summer heat: According to the website www.rightturn.com, “hot weather can weaken your tires and lead to failure.” If the temperature is 90 degrees, it may rise up to 150 degrees on the highway. In addition, tire pressure can increase by up to 5 psi in the first half hour of driving.
“More than half the vehicles on the road were found to have at least one under-inflated tire,” according to AAA; in addition, “85 percent of motorists do not know how to properly inflate their tires,” its website states. Check the owner’s manual for the required tire pressure. Also keep an eye on tire treads and any sign of wear that could compromise the tire and force a blowout at high speeds.
Remember to keep yourself cooled off too – and well hydrated – while driving. No air conditioning in your vehicle? Keep your windows open so that there remains a cross-breeze. Place a spray bottle filled with ice and water within reach so that you can mist yourself if you’re stuck in traffic, which could very well occur on roads crossing Fort Lauderdale, especially I-95 and the turnpike. On extremely hot days when you may be stuck on the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic, fill a cooler with frozen rags and frozen bottles of water. If you can, drive during the cooler parts of the day and when you arrive at your destination, park in the shade and try to leave your windows open about an inch.
AAA also recommends that every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools, and a first aid kit.
Emergencies are inevitable. Stay alert and safe when driving in the extreme heat in Fort Lauderdale to avoid any occurrence that could place you at risk for personal injury.
