RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Summer has arrived, prompting the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to remind drivers to prepare and stay cool while traveling.
The department provided the following tips for drivers:
Check your air conditioning performance and air filter before driving. A lack of air conditioning on a hot day is dangerous for everyone, especially people with health conditions or those sensitive to heat, including children and older adults.
Never leave children, older adults or pets alone in the car. Heatstroke can happen quickly when left unattended in a parked vehicle. In the summertime months, it can be deadly. Older adults, children, and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.
Stock your vehicle with an emergency kit. Some important items to consider include: first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, roadside flares, cell phone and charger, tire pressure gauge, jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire, basic repair tools, and extra water and nonperishable food.
Hot temperatures accelerate the pace at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Remember to look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of wear and tear.
Inspect your vehicle to ensure proper maintenance and functioning of the tire pressure, fluid levels, batteries, headlights and wiper blades.
VDOT also recommends that drivers plan ahead by using 511, which provides information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion. It also gives users access to traffic cameras, weather information and electric vehicle charging stations.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Summer has arrived, prompting the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to remind drivers to prepare and stay cool while traveling.
The department provided the following tips for drivers:
Check your air conditioning performance and air filter before driving. A lack of air conditioning on a hot day is dangerous for everyone, especially people with health conditions or those sensitive to heat, including children and older adults.
Never leave children, older adults or pets alone in the car. Heatstroke can happen quickly when left unattended in a parked vehicle. In the summertime months, it can be deadly. Older adults, children, and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.
Stock your vehicle with an emergency kit. Some important items to consider include: first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, roadside flares, cell phone and charger, tire pressure gauge, jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire, basic repair tools, and extra water and nonperishable food.
Hot temperatures accelerate the pace at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Remember to look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of wear and tear.
Inspect your vehicle to ensure proper maintenance and functioning of the tire pressure, fluid levels, batteries, headlights and wiper blades.
VDOT also recommends that drivers plan ahead by using 511, which provides information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion. It also gives users access to traffic cameras, weather information and electric vehicle charging stations.