Although, at this point, this will not be a particularly hot summer, it is true that the temperatures on board a car can quickly escalate to snowfalls that may endanger the safety of the two remaining occupants of the vehicle. Know the effects of heat in driving and some ways to mitigate them .
Mais calor, menos atenção
According to studies of some car brands, driving with an internal temperature of 35º is or equivalent to driving under the effect of an alcohol level of 0.5g/l. Furthermore, the second study “ moderate heat stress on driver vigilance in a moving vehicle” , with 27º overall proportion of attention failures was 50% higher and the response times foram 22% longer than those recorded as 21º.
How to mitigate the effects of heat?
- Before starting a trip, make sure that your car's air conditioning system is in good condition and working properly. If necessary, carry it to a specialized office.
- Whenever possible, avoid driving during the peak hours of the day, generally between 12:00 and 16:00.
- Drink water frequently to stay hydrated. Carry a jug of water with you and drink regularly.
- Wear light clothing, preferably cotton, that promotes air circulation and helps maintain a lower body temperature. Never have you ever seen a wardrobe that could, in some way, make your movements difficult.
- Stop every two hours to rest, shampoo your legs and freshen up. Take advantage of these breaks to sit in the shade in a cool place and hydrate yourself with cool drinks.
- Avoid alcohol consumption. Despite providing a sensation of momentary freshness, an imperial freshness acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production and loss of body fluids, potentially leading to dehydration. Also, the effects of alcohol can enhance the reduction in the reaction capacity caused by heat.
- Use the air conditioning efficiently, adjusting the temperature to a comfortable level (between 21º and 22º). If you do not have air conditioning, open the doors to increase air circulation and avoid the hottest hours at all.
- Use sun glasses. Exposure to intense light can cause momentary “blindness” (especially when the sun is lower) and intensify visual fatigue, especially on longer trips.
- Excessive heat causes fatigue and drowsiness. Take regular breaks and, if necessary, driver's duty. If not possible, it is preferable to stop at the service area to rest. Name-I know that “it is better to lose a minute of your life than to lose your life a minute.
- If symptoms such as headaches, numbness, nausea, mental confusion or increased heart rate occur, stop immediately, hydrate and try to reduce body temperature. These could be signs of dehydration or “insulation”.
- If, for some reason, you have to stop next to the road, there is no need to place the Help Flash before leaving the road to place the required signal triangle.
