Tips for hitting the road

Caution: Summer drivers
Although wintertime driving conditions get the most press, it's during the summer months that more Canadians are injured or killed on the roads. That's due to the increased volume of traffic. Here are a few tips from George Smith, supervisor of traffic safety and training at the Canada Safety Council in Ottawa.

Out of towners: Watch for out-of-province plates -- the driver may be unfamiliar with the area.

Make room for trucks: Debris from trucks, such as rocks from a landscaper's truck, can fly off and hit your car. If you're following one, stay well back (allow yourself sufficient time to stop).

Gravel roads: If you're driving onto a gravel road from asphalt, brake on the asphalt; braking hard on the gravel can cause you to lose control.

Heat haze: Heat haze means the pavement is hot. It can also cause hypnosis if you stare at it for too long. Check your mirrors every few seconds. As well, asphalt is about 20 per cent warmer than the air temperature, and a hot pavement means less traction on the road when you are braking. Allow yourself extra time for braking.

Watch out for kids...on bikes, with in-line skates and playing on the roads.

Packing primer
If your method of loading up the car for the drive to the cottage is to throw everything into the trunk, then get the kids to sit on the lid so you can close it, try these tips from Tatjana Sulker of the CAA Southcentral Ontario in Thornhill, Ont.

• Pack large, heavy items, such as suitcases, first. Use soft-sided luggage or duffel bags, as they can morph to accommodate other items. Fit awkwardly shaped items, such as games, into nooks.
• Don't pack kids' toys and snacks at the bottom. Pack food items, such as sandwich fixings, drinks and fruit, in separate compartments of an empty wine box with cardboard inserts so nothing gets squashed.
• Make sure the spare tire, jack and first-aid kit are accessible.
• Don't overload -- it can affect the car's handling and damage the suspension. If you're not sure, ask your mechanic.