On Sunday, 31 May 2026, the Met Office warnings page showed no national severe weather warnings in force. That is useful, but it does not mean every journey will feel effortless. Bright sunlight, a warm cabin and a quick shower after a dry spell can all change how your car feels and how well you can see.
The Highway Code says that in hot weather you should keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness, and it also warns that if rain falls after a dry spell the road may become slippery enough to affect steering and braking. It adds that if you are dazzled by bright sunlight, you should slow down and, if necessary, stop. For many drivers, that combination is exactly what makes a late-May or early-June trip feel more tiring than expected.
Start with clear vision, not just a full tank
Summer driving often looks easy until low sun hits a dusty windscreen. Before you leave, clean the inside and outside of the glass, check the wipers and washer fluid, and make sure sunglasses are easy to reach rather than buried in a bag. If the glare is strong, use the visor early and reduce speed before your vision is affected, not after.
This matters just as much on shorter trips as it does on a motorway run. A bright evening sun can hide pedestrians, cyclists, lane markings or a queue building ahead. If the weather flips from dry to wet, visibility can drop fast and the first rain on a dry road can make the surface feel greasy. Leave more space, brake progressively and avoid treating a brief shower like a minor inconvenience.
Warm weather can still lead to avoidable breakdowns
National Highways says most breakdowns are avoidable and notes that its traffic officers deal with more than 85,000 breakdowns each year. More than 40 per cent are linked to vehicles running out of fuel, poor tyre maintenance, power loss and engine trouble. That is a strong reminder that a routine pre-journey check saves more time than it costs.
Look at tyre condition and pressures, not just tread. Make sure lights are working, confirm you have enough fuel or charge for the route, and check that your phone can stay powered if traffic slows or diversions add time. RAC summer breakdown guidance also points out that summer heat can be hard on cars, especially older batteries and vehicles doing repeated short journeys or family-trip stop-start driving.
Pack for comfort and reach, not just for the boot
National Highways advises drivers to check the weather forecast and carry a simple summer kit. That includes drinking water, snacks that can handle the heat, a charged phone and charger, sunglasses, a hat, sun block and any emergency medication. Those are sensible basics, but where you place them matters too.
Items you may need quickly should stay in the cabin or somewhere you can reach safely once parked. That can include water, a cable or power bank, a torch, a high-visibility vest and a compact car escape tool. A window breaker and seatbelt cutter are most useful when they are close to hand, not packed under luggage in the boot.
Recommended JUFO tools for summer journeys
Choose the option that matches how many vehicles or seating positions you want to cover, and keep the tool inside the cabin rather than packed away.
JUFO 2 Pack Car Escape Tool
Best for keeping one tool near the driver and one near rear passengers, or covering two cars at home.
From £16.99
JUFO 2-in-1 Car Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter
A compact single-car option for drivers who want a window breaker and seatbelt cutter close to hand every day.
From £8.95
Keep the last five minutes calm
Before moving off, set the route, put the phone on charge, place water where passengers can reach it and make sure safety items are not trapped under bags or coats. If conditions change on the way, a short stop to cool the cabin, reset the route or clear the windscreen is better than pushing on while tired or dazzled.
No-warning days are often the ones that tempt drivers to skip the basics. A clean windscreen, a cooler cabin, good tyres and the right emergency kit within reach are simple steps, but they make ordinary summer travel feel more controlled and more comfortable.
