Drivers warned to keep cool or it could lead to £100 fine this summer

With the warm weather, many drivers may find themselves a little more hot and bothered when they’re behind the wheel this summer.

Driving when the temperature is high can cause drowsiness, which may increase reaction times and weaken your attention span, making dangerous incidents more likely.

To prevent this, the commercial vehicle leasing company Vanarama have revealed a list of tips to help drivers stay cool in their vehicles this summer.

When setting off, Vanarama advised drivers to set their air conditioning to ‘external’, which is often identified by a symbol of an arrow entering a car.

Because the air outside the vehicle will be colder, it will be easy for the air conditioning system to cool and circulate it, lowering the temperature at a faster rate. 

Vanarama also recommended opening the windows as soon as possible, to help remove any hot air quickly and improve the flow of colder air from outside.

The company explained that this process can be made quicker by setting the air conditioning to cool down lower areas like the footwells, making the hot air rise and escape through the windows. 

Once the outside temperature seems warmer than the air that’s coming through the vehicle’s vents, you can close the windows and enjoy a more comfortable driving experience. 

However, Vanarama also gave drivers tips on how to stop their vehicles from getting too hot in the first place. 

Naturally, if it is possible, you should try to park the vehicle in spaces that are hidden from the sun, such as in a garage or under a tree. 

If you can’t avoid parking in the sun, Vanarama also advised drivers to fit a windscreen sunshade, which simply fits to a window and reflects the sun’s rays, preventing the temperature from rising. 

Whatever precautions you take, driving when hot and drowsy is never a good idea, with the Highway Code requiring drivers to stop in a safe place until they feel more awake. 

If a police officer stops you for driving whilst drowsy, they can give you a fixed-penalty notice of £100 and three points on your license.

The Highway Code also allows drivers to drink water and soft drinks when on the move, so long as it doesn’t distract them from the road.