Things to keep in mind when driving during rush hour in hot weather.

Driving in the hot weather is terrifying.

Mr. Le Xuan Thang, residing in Tay Mo, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi, stated: "My workplace is about 10 kilometers from my house, passing through three traffic hotspots. Normally, it takes me about 45 minutes to drive there. However, during hot weather, it takes me over an hour to get home. Since I ride a motorbike, what I fear most is stopping at red lights, the blaring car horns, and the intense heat radiating from the asphalt. Moreover, in this hot weather, everyone is in a hurry, making it difficult to remain calm. By the time I get home, I'm almost completely exhausted."

Pham Van Thieu, who commutes by car, also faces fatigue. He shared that since the beginning of summer, his car's air conditioning system has become outdated and unable to handle the workload. Last week, he visited three air conditioning repair shops, but none were willing to service it due to being overloaded. Being in a car with weak air conditioning during the hot weather is like being in a sauna. Adding to that, the rush hour traffic is much heavier than usual, making it incredibly stressful to inch forward. Many days he switches to his motorbike, but even that is unbearable due to the heat, dust, and noise.

Driving in the hot weather quickly tires drivers out. (Photo: Hai Nguyen)

Experts share tips on driving in hot weather.

Sharing his experience driving in traffic jams during hot weather, Mr. Mai Lam Quy, an instructor at Duc Thinh Driving Training Center, said that in hot weather, car drivers need to pay special attention to the air conditioning system. When the air conditioner is weak, drivers can remove the car's air filter and gently tap it on the ground to clean off dust and dirt. Absolutely do not wash it with water. If the air conditioner is still not working properly, drivers should take their car to a workshop for repair and maintenance.

When the air conditioner is working properly, drivers should avoid overusing it to prevent heat shock. In fact, during hot weather, many people habitually set their car's air conditioner to the lowest temperature without realizing that heat shock inside a car is much more dangerous than heat shock when going from an air-conditioned room to the outdoors. This is because the interior of a car already contains a significant amount of CO2, and people often have the habit of directing the air conditioner straight at themselves while sitting in the car. This creates a large temperature difference between the hot outdoors and the inside of the car. Upon exiting the vehicle, drivers are very likely to experience heat shock, leading to headaches, dizziness, or even stroke.

To avoid the risk of heat shock, before starting and stopping the car, drivers should turn off the A/C and fan to gradually adapt to the outside temperature. When starting the car, drivers can turn on the ventilation fan and open the windows to blow out the hot air from the passenger compartment. Then, close the windows before turning on the air conditioner. After that, drivers can gradually increase the cooling level and fan speed to allow their bodies to adjust.

When driving in hot weather, drivers should pay attention to vehicle maintenance, especially tire pressure and windshield washer fluid. Drivers need to ensure that tire pressure is always at the required level for optimal fuel efficiency. Each manufacturer has a specific recommended tire pressure level clearly stated on the label. Maintaining the correct tire pressure not only saves fuel but also improves vehicle control and prevents tires from overheating, which can damage connecting parts such as wheels, brakes, and other related components.

A dirty windshield can worsen glare because dirt and tiny particles scatter sunlight. Therefore, before starting your trip, you should clean and sanitize your windshield both inside and out to avoid leaving any streaks on the glass.

When driving in sunny weather, drivers often experience glare. Therefore, drivers need to maintain a steady speed and a safe distance. Absolutely avoid sudden stops or parking, as drivers behind may react slowly due to impaired visibility.

For motorbike riders, it's important to wear sun protection. Many people think that wearing thin clothing in hot weather will keep them cool. However, both male and female riders should equip themselves with some body-protecting accessories, including sun-protective clothing of appropriate length and thickness, shoes, gloves, sunglasses, etc.