Most drivers recognize that weather can influence safety on the road. For example, sudden rainstorms affect visibility and vehicle traction, while snow can lead to multi-vehicle pile-ups. For those in the Las Vegas area, rainstorms and winter weather aren’t the most pressing meteorological concern.
Instead, the weather issue that may affect their safety in traffic is instead extreme heat. As temperatures rise, the possibility of a crash may increase as well. How does extreme heat affect traffic safety?
Heat affects driver behavior
Even those born and raised in the Southwest are not meant for extreme heat events. The human body does not tolerate extreme heat well. People tend to become far more irritable when heat increases. That may increase the likelihood of road rage and aggressive driving. Heat can also impair decision-making ability and may also drive up a person’s resting heart rate. In some cases, people can experience a fight-or-flight response to extreme heat that can lead to irrational behavior.
Just how dangerous is desert driving?
Extreme heat can also affect the performance of vehicles, which can make desert driving particularly dangerous. Road temperatures can affect tire performance and may put vehicles at risk of overheating. Especially when people use auxiliary systems, like air conditioning, their vehicles may become too hot to continue driving. Their risk of a tire blow-out is also noteworthy. In some cases, an aversion to exiting the vehicle in the heat may lead to people putting off fueling up their vehicles, which can lead to them running out of fuel in the worst possible environment. Heat can also affect battery performance.
Motorists who plan to drive in the desert or who routinely commute during times an extreme heat may need to have safety plans in place. From spare water in their vehicles to proactive fueling practices, there are many ways for people to ensure that they reach their destination safely when temperatures soar. Drivers who recognize how extreme heat and other weather factors may affect traffic safety have a better chance of avoiding motor vehicle collisions. Extreme heat in the desert is one of many safety hazards that drivers need to account for in the Las Vegas area.