Driving in the heat: beware of the dangers
As you may have noticed, the high temperatures are there. And on the road, they unfortunately create more risks. Here are some tips.
Many of us are delighted with the sunny days that have set in. However, while mild weather puts you in a good mood, high temperatures lead to a drop in concentration. Not to mention the decrease in the quality of sleep. And who says sleep debt, says risk of accidents. "Sleeping on average less than 6 hours increases the risk of accidents by 3 to 6 times," says the Walloon Agency for Road Safety (AWSR) (only in French).
In its latest survey, VIAS looked back at several statistics (only in French or Dutch). "In heatwaves, the average number of accidents with fatalities or injuries is on average 7% higher than when the weather is 'normal'. The number of serious accidents increased even more sharply : +11%. This is due in particular to the greater presence of two-wheelers on the roads. As for the number of killed and seriously injured, it increased by 14%. There are also more people on the roads. »
Not to mention that cyclists and motorcyclists sometimes leave behind certain equipment. "For motorcyclists, the rule does not change, you have to cover up everywhere, summer and winter. There is summer equipment that protects while being very ventilated. And on a bike, even if wearing a helmet is not mandatory, it is still a useful tool for falls and here too, some models of helmets are more adapted to the heat," says Commissioner Olivier Quisquater.
While there is nothing we can do about the heat, it is possible to adjust your behavior.