Road safety: Road users, beware of the heat!

Clearly, we have noticed that the high heat gives effects comparable to a few glasses of alcohol in terms of concentration, and it promotes the onset of falling asleep at the wheel. In particular because drivers sleep less well in the event of a heat wave, they are therefore sleep deprived when they get behind the wheel.

It also encourages some motorcyclists to give up some of the safety equipment, or cyclists to neglect to wear a helmet. The heat also makes drivers more irritable, which is not a good state of mind for safe driving.

Of course, there is nothing we can do to avoid a heat wave, but what can we advise drivers then?

Before leaving, remember to take enough water to avoid the possibility of major traffic jams. And carry a mister if you don't have air conditioning.

If you have no choice but to park your car in the sun, use a sun visor to protect your windshield or at least a large towel for the dashboard.

Check the general condition of your vehicle and the levels before departure because the vehicle can also suffer from these high temperatures which promote the overheating of the engine.

And of course, as much as possible, stagger your journeys outside the hottest hours (especially between 12 noon and 4 pm).

As for two-wheelers, we can add not to sacrifice safety 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 remains a useful tool for falls and here too, some models of helmets are more suitable for the heat.

Commissioner Olivier Quisquater
Highway Police