When summer arrives, it’s not just the weather that changes. The conditions on the roads change, too.
Highways become busier with vacation travelers. Out-of-state visitors navigate unfamiliar roads. More RVs, campers, motorcycles, boats, and trailers share Arizona highways. Families spend more time behind the wheel, often driving routes they don’t normally travel.
Individually, none of these changes seem significant.
Together, they create a driving environment that’s very different from the rest of the year.
A driver unfamiliar with the area may suddenly realize an exit is approaching and change lanes unexpectedly. Someone towing a trailer needs more time and distance to stop. Families traveling for several hours can become fatigued without realizing how much their attention has started to fade.
Understanding how summer changes the driving environment can help you prepare for it. Leaving a little more following distance, allowing extra travel time, staying patient in heavier traffic, and anticipating that other drivers may be unfamiliar with the road can all help make every trip a little safer.
At O’Steen MacLeod Combs, we’ve spent decades representing Arizona families after serious motor vehicle collisions. While every case is different, one lesson has remained consistent: paying attention to changing driving conditions—and adjusting accordingly—can help make every trip a little safer.
Whether you’re heading across town or across the country this summer, remember that the roads change with the season. A little extra awareness behind the wheel can go a long way toward helping everyone arrive home safely.