As temperatures rise and the summer months continue to approach, more drivers will appear on the road. Sunny days mean people will be travelling to their cottage homes, driving their convertibles or evening taking their motorcycles for a spin. However, even on beautiful sunny days, you can’t ignore driving safety cautions. See below for safety tips to be mindful of to keep you and your family safe on the road this summer.

Pack with care
Summer activities like camping require various equipment and supplies. Make sure you carefully pack these items in your vehicle to ensure full visibility (windows and rear-view mirror). If your items do not fit properly in your vehicle, consider packing them in a roof rack cargo carrier.

Don’t drink and drive
“It’s simple, if you drink don’t drive,” (CAA, 2019). Summer weather calls for backyard BBQs, patio season and get-togethers involving alcoholic beverages. If you attend these types of gatherings and you are drinking, you should never operate a vehicle. Instead, arrange for a designated driver to take you home, take a cab or stay over.

Stay alert
Warmer weather calls for various outdoor activities. This includes cycling, riding a motorized vehicle and children playing outdoors. Drivers should be alert at all times, ensuring they are driving slow near parks and playgrounds and yielding for cyclists. If you approach a motorcycle at a stoplight or while driving, make sure you keep a proper distance for optimal safety.

Buckle up
Seat belts should be worn by everyone riding in the vehicle, at all times. Proper use of seat belts is essential in reducing vehicle-related injuries and deaths.

Be prepared
You should always be prepared for emergencies while travelling in a vehicle. Make sure you have a spare tire, jumper cables and a cellphone in case an emergency were to occur.

Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the largest causes of collisions, injuries, and deaths on Canada’s roads. See below for distracted driving statistics.

• Texting while driving increases the risk of crashing by 23 times. (NHTSA, 2018).
• 33 per cent of Canadian’s admit they have texted while stopped at a red light, despite believing it is unacceptable. (CAA, 2016).
• 47 per cent of Canadian’s admitted that they have typed a text message or used the voice memo feature to send a text message while driving (CAA Polling, 2020).
• The maximum amount of time that a driver can safely divert his or her attention from the road is two seconds.  It takes a driver an average of five seconds to send a text message. (TeenSafe, 2018).
• Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 90 km/hr, your vehicle will travel 125 metres – longer than a football field, including the two end zones. (Tests.ca, 2021).

At TIM, we stand by drivers’ safety. Throughout every season is it important to be careful behind the wheel to ensure the safety of those in the vehicle and surrounding pedestrians.

All vehicles – regular use autos as well as ATVs, snowmobiles, motor homes and collector cars are covered under The Insurance Market’s Automotive Insurance. Contact us today.

Automotive Insurance Coverage:

• Worldwide liability coverage – $ 1 million per occurrence
• Excess auto liability also available
• Deductible is waived in the event of a total loss
• Agreed value – auto is insured for an agreed upon amount; no deduction for parts depreciation in the event of a partial loss
• Extra discounts – for multiple cars, occasional use
• Multi policy (home/auto) and mature driver discount
• Temporary replacement transportation/rental vehicles coverage included
• Non-owned automobiles – liability for damage included
• Family protection coverage offered

For more information about Distracted Driving read CAA’s article, Distracted Driving