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Summer Driving Tips: How to Handle Smoke

Posted 6 months ago

Summer travel is exciting, but driving through a wildfire is no joke. You need to take some precautions to make sure you and your car are safe and ready for the challenge. Here are some tips to help keep you safe on the road while you travel through smoke (or fog).

💥Clean your windows, mirrors, and headlights. You don’t want to deal with smoke and dust blocking your view or making you look like a ghost.

💥Keep your windows shut. Smoke can hurt your lungs and make you feel sleepy. Lower your exposure by keeping your windows shut, turning off your outside air vents, and setting your AC to recirculate mode. Be sure to turn recirculate mode off every hour for about 15 to 30 minutes, to let some fresh air in and get rid of any pollutants. This will help you stay awake and healthy.

💥Don’t overdrive your headlights. That means slowing down and being able to stop within the distance you can see ahead.

💥Switch on all your exterior lights, including taillights. Often using daytime running lights doesn’t engage your taillights, so make sure they’re on.

💥Use low-beam headlights or fog lights. This is why your vehicle has them.

💥Increase your follow distance to compensate for lack of visibility.

💥Never pass in smoke (or fog).

💥Never stop on the road. Instead, pull completely off to the side of the road in a safe location. Then turn on your flashing hazard lights.

Remember to keep calm, stay alert, and take breaks whenever you feel tired or anxious. Safe driving everyone!