DRIVERS in Spain have been warned over the dangers of peak summer heat between 2pm and 4pm.

Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, have said that driving during the hottest hours of the afternoon between 2pm and 4pm can increase crash risk by up to 20%.

The DGT has advised drivers to avoid driving between 2pm and 4pm when temperatures are at their hottest this summer.

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Driving in peak heat negatively affects the driver, vehicle and roads according to the DGT.

When driving in hot temperatures, drivers may become drowsy, fatigued and lack concentration significantly raising the risk of a crash. 

If you do have to cover long distances this summer, the DGT recommends stopping to rest every two hours and staying hydrated to reduce the risks of heat related exhaustion. 

Extreme heat doesn’t only affect the driver, but also the vehicle with battery failure and tyre blowouts due to hot tarmac particularly common in high temperatures. 

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To avoid heat related breakdowns, the DGT advises drivers to ensure their engine coolant is topped up and check tyre pressure regularly. 

In addition, the DGT recommends parking your vehicle in shaded areas and using sunshades to keep your vehicle cool. 

As well as avoiding peak heat between 2pm and 4pm, the GDT has also warned against driving between 3am and 5am when drivers are most fatigued, significantly increasing the risk of a crash. 

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