June is Safe Summer Travel Month

If you are planning on hitting the road this summer or spending sunny days outdoors, it is important to remember that the summer season can bring some potential dangers.

Be road ready by taking steps to be safe, including inspecting your tires, checking your battery and brakes, replacing worn wiper blades, and topping off engine oil and other fluids to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Learn more at Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

Tips for Traveling with Pets

• Precautions – On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.
• Car Safety Equipment – In a crash, you’ll want to know your pet is secure in a carrier or safety harness to restrict them from harmful movement. Ensure the carrier is large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down.
• Unrestrained pets can distract the driver; it only takes a momentary lapse of concentration for your safety to be jeopardized.  Below are the results of a survey of drivers’ activities while driving with their dogs:
  • Petting their dog (52%)
  • Using hands or arms to restrict dog’s movement or hold dog in place when putting on brakes (23%)
  • Using hands/arms to keep dog from climbing from the backseat to the front seat (19%)
  • Reaching into backseat to interact with dog (18%)
  • Allowing dog to sit in lap or holding dog while driving (17%)
  • Giving food or treats to dog (13%)
  • Playing with dog (4%)
  • Taking a photo of dog (3%)