5 tips for driving safely this Summer 

With the school year coming to an end, Aviva is urging drivers to take caution when driving this summer.

The warning comes as motor claims data from January-December 2023 reveals the most common times for a collision during the school holidays. According to the data, collisions typically peak during lunch hours, with Saturday from 1-2pm ranking top, closely followed by Friday from 12-1pm and Saturday from 12-1pm¹.

The top five times of day with the highest number of collisions:

Martin Smith, Motor Claims Manager at Aviva, says: “Although weekends are typically a time for relaxing, our research shows that Saturday brunch seems to be the most common time for a collision during the summer holidays. Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why this is the case, one explanation could be that drivers are rushing to get to their destination, be it a local staycation, camping retreats, children’s holiday clubs or outdoor activities. Driving during school holidays may feel overwhelming and paired with an increase of people on the roads more generally, it can create a perfect storm for a collision. 

“We’d urge drivers to be prepared, remove all distractions, and always follow the speed limit. Small changes – such as planning a journey beforehand – can make the world of difference when it comes to driving more safely.

Aviva’s top tips on driving safely this summer include:

1. Plan your route. Before setting off, take the time to plan your route and factor in any stops you may need to make, whether it’s for comfort or to charge your car. If you’re on a long journey, stopping regularly can help prevent driver fatigue. Tuning into your local radio station beforehand will also help avoid any congested areas and last-minute diversions.
2. Pack an emergency kit in case you break down. Preparation is key. Handy things to keep in your car include a warning triangle, torch and batteries, mobile phone and charger, breakdown membership card and tow rope, thick cardboard, or material (for traction), outdoor clothes and sunglasses (for glare) as well as a shovel and a blanket.
3. Check your vehicle. It’s good practice to physically inspect things like tyres, lights, windscreen wipers, oil, brakes and coolant levels before you leave – especially if you’re planning to drive further afield. A five-minute check could prevent you from either breaking down or having a potential driving incident/accident. 
4. Remove distractions. Think about what could distract you while behind the wheel. Switch your phone to ‘do not disturb’ to avoid any notifications distracting you while you drive and if you’re taking any pets with you, make sure you fasten them in. Under Rule 57 of the Highway Code, drivers must make sure that dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract or injure themselves while driving and in the event of a sudden stop. According to the rules ‘seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars’².   
5. Don’t overpack your car. Think carefully about what you’re packing and whether it’s essential for your trip. Overloading your car can put a strain on the tyres, suspension, and brakes, and not only is it against the law, you may be unable to make a claim on your insurance if you were found to have overloaded your vehicle. Make sure any roof boxes or bike racks are securely fastened too.

More information on the research can be found here: https://www.aviva.co.uk/insurance/motor/car-insurance/knowledge-centre/school-holidays-accidents/

References

1. Aviva Motor collision claims data. 2023. A three-week period was isolated during which all schools across the UK were on their summer holidays.
2. Department for Transport.