With the warm weather finally here, the season of summer driving and road trips is upon us. Summer driving is a time of excitement for a new teenage driver. Parents are typically more comfortable giving their teenager the car during the summer because they believe the roads are safer. G2 drivers who have never had a chance to drive alone are suddenly taking the roads by storm. 

 Surprisingly, more fatalities occur on Canadian roads during the summer months than any other time of the year, including the winter holiday season. New and inexperienced drivers are more likely to have access to a car and will be sharing the road with other vehicles. This is in combination with things like alcohol, fatigue and aggressive driving being more common in the summer. 

 It is important for drivers, both new and old, to be prepared for what can happen on the road. In particular, in terms of road trips and travelling to the cottage, Canadians are often travelling long distances. This creates a temptation to keep driving for an extended period of time even when tired. Getting enough sleep before leaving on a long trip and drinking plenty of water is an important thing. Equally as important are rest stops. Taking a break helps ensure that the driver is alert and not overly frustrated by the traffic.  

 Summer driving can be an exciting time but also can take a toll on the driver. The desire to reach the final destination in the quickest time possible is not always the safest. It is important to be patient and be extra cautious when driving on the road during the summer. Saving 5 minutes on a drive is not worth the potential consequences that could arise.