What precautions should you take if you're going to travel this summer?

Are you going to travel by car this summer? If so, we recommend following a series of precautions so that everything goes well and you get home safe and sound. We’re at that time of year when many Spaniards take the car to get to their holiday destination, but it’s important to keep in mind a number of factors, since heat and high temperatures can spoil a trip.

To keep your journey from being more uncomfortable and to prevent some problem from cropping up, let’s review the best tips and items you should adopt to make the trip more pleasant.

What should you keep in mind before setting off on a summer trip?

One important point when travelling is the accessories, since it’s essential to be comfortable on a long road trip. With the sun out, we advise you to always carry a pair of sunglasses. These will prevent possible glare from sunlight reflections or even from the paintwork of the car in front. They also reduce eye strain, which can cause headaches and drowsiness.

Footwear is also very important. The more comfortable, the better. Avoid shoes or trainers that make your feet hot, or flip-flops that prevent you from using the pedals properly. Choose footwear that is comfortable, doesn’t pinch, and lets you drive the car fully.

Another aspect to consider is hydration and rest. You should drink water regularly during the journey and take a break to rest every two hours on long trips. During these stops you can stretch your legs, eat and rest. These factors help you stay more alert and safe on the road.

Air conditioning is very important as it improves comfort and reduces fatigue for both passengers and driver. The inside of the vehicle should be between 21 and 23 degrees. Air conditioning is the best solution for the heat, but some vehicles don’t have it, and to keep the temperature pleasant it’s advisable to lower the windows moderately to ventilate and let the heat out.

With rising temperatures, a detail such as choosing the time at which you start the journey is important. The best times to travel are at sunrise, that is, early in the morning, and at sunset. These are the two occasions when it’s preferable to set off, because they are the coolest hours of the day; during the rest of the day you may face extremely high temperatures.

In addition, you should always carry the necessary tools in the car in case any unexpected problem arises on the road. One consequence of the heat is a greater chance of suffering a puncture, among other things.