After an unusually warm spell across parts of the UK, the safest morning drive starts before the engine turns over. Heat affects people, tyres, batteries, fluids and the small decisions drivers make when they are tired, thirsty or rushing. The Met Office said temperatures would remain warm for many areas on Wednesday 27 May 2026, while National Highways continues to advise drivers to check vehicles, carry water and plan journeys carefully during hot weather.
A five-minute check before leaving home is especially useful after a hot night. It can reduce the chance of a roadside stop, help you spot a simple problem early and make sure the essentials you would need in a delay are actually inside the cabin.
Start with tyres while they are cool
Tyres deserve attention before the car has been sitting in traffic or rolling on hot roads. Check pressure against the vehicle handbook or door-frame label, and inspect the tread and sidewalls for visible damage. Underinflated tyres can run hotter, wear faster and affect braking. Overloaded cars, roof boxes and family luggage can make this worse, so adjust pressures correctly if your vehicle guidance tells you to do so.
Look for anything lodged in the tread and check that all valve caps are fitted. If you have a spare wheel, it should not be forgotten just because it is hidden under the boot floor. A puncture kit or compressor is only useful if it is present and usable.
Check coolant, screenwash and visibility
Warm weather puts extra strain on cooling systems. If your car shows signs of overheating, or the temperature gauge moves outside its normal range, stop somewhere safe and let the vehicle cool. Do not open a hot cooling system. Before a journey, check coolant only when the engine is cool and follow the vehicle manual.
Screenwash matters too. Summer driving can mean dust, pollen, insects and low sun glare. A dirty windscreen can make early morning or evening light much harder to handle. Clean the screen inside and out, check wiper condition and keep sunglasses within reach, but avoid lenses that are too dark for driving.
Put the emergency kit where you can reach it
Many drivers keep emergency items in the boot, then cover them with bags, shopping or holiday luggage. For a hot-weather delay or roadside stop, the essentials should be easier to reach. Keep drinking water, a phone charger or power bank, a torch, high-visibility vest, basic first-aid items and any essential medication inside the cabin.
A compact car escape tool should also be accessible from the front seats. The JUFO car window breaker combines a spring-loaded window breaker with a seatbelt cutter, giving drivers and passengers a practical tool to keep in a door pocket, centre console or secure mount. It is a small addition, but it fits naturally into a sensible car emergency kit.
Recommended JUFO tools for your morning safety kit
Keep your escape tool inside the cabin, not under luggage in the boot. For family cars, front and rear access can matter.
JUFO 2 Pack Car Escape Tool
Best for keeping one tool in the front and one near rear passengers, or covering two cars at home.
From £16.99
JUFO Two-in-one Window Breaker
A compact single-car option for drivers who want a simple window breaker and seatbelt cutter close to hand.
From £8.95
Plan the journey around people, not just traffic
Hot weather can make drivers and passengers tired faster. Carry enough water, plan breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day where possible. If you are carrying children, older passengers or anyone with a health condition, give yourself more time and do not leave anyone waiting in a parked car.
Summer roads also bring more cyclists, motorcyclists, walkers and horse riders. Give extra room, slow down on bends and avoid rushing overtakes. A cooler, better-prepared driver is usually a safer driver.
Sources checked: Met Office UK heat forecast updates and National Highways extreme heat travel advice, reviewed on 27 May 2026.
