The Canada Safety Council encourages drivers to take extra precautions during the summer. "More fatalities occur on Canadian roads during the summer months than at any other time of year, including the winter holiday season. Alcohol, fatigue and aggressive driving are often implicated in these tragedies," the Council explains.

Here are the Council's six tips for safe summer driving:

1.) Prepare your vehicle. Before you head out for your vacation, have a professional check your vehicle. Three things that should be done are repairing or replacing worn parts, checking fluid levels and tire pressure and ensuring that all lights are working properly. 

2.) Passenger safety. Always make sure that passengers are buckled properly. If you are traveling with kids, make regular stops and bring engaging items that they can occupy themselves with. 

3.) Drive defensively. Driving at a safe speed decreases the likelihood of a crash. If you are driving quickly, you have less time to react to a potential hazard. Driving defensively means:

• Obeying all signs and signals, as well as speed limits, traffic lights, stop signs and railway crossings
• Not using your cell phone 
• Never drink and drive

4.) Stay alert. It is also important to get enough sleep the night before a long drive. Fatigue can severely impair your driving and judgment.

5.) Carry a heavy load or towing a trailer. Beforehand make sure that your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer or heavy load, and contact your vehicle dealer. Check that your rear view mirrors allow you clearly to see the road behind. While driving, leave extra space between yourself and the car ahead of you, and pull over when faster vehicles want to pass.   

6.) Share the road. Drivers need to demonstrate caution at all times, especially when sharing the road with cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable parties. Since summer often brings an increase in construction, driver should also be prepared to slow down in advance of construction zones. 

For answers to all of your car and auto insurance needs, contact the experts at Fundy Mutual. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you.