The DGT is warning drivers to take extra care as Spain’s first major heatwave of summer pushes temperatures towards 40C. Credit : stock adobe
Spain’s first major heatwave of the summer is arriving just as roads begin filling up with weekend travellers and early holidaymakers. With temperatures forecast to approach 40C in parts of the country, the DGT is warning motorists to take extra care. The concern is not only what the heat can do to a vehicle, but what it can do to the person sitting behind the wheel.
For many people, a summer drive across Spain is part of the season.
Whether it is a weekend at the coast, a family visit or the start of a long awaited holiday, thousands of motorists will be spending hours on the road over the coming days.
The car is fuelled, the luggage is packed and the route has been planned. What often receives far less attention is how quickly extreme heat can affect concentration.
Anyone who has driven through Spain during a heatwave will recognise the feeling. The journey starts comfortably enough. The air conditioning is running, traffic is moving and everything seems under control.
Then the kilometres begin to add up. The sun beats through the windscreen. Traffic slows. Drivers become more impatient. Small frustrations suddenly feel bigger than they should.
That gradual change is exactly what worries road safety authorities every summer. The DGT has once again reminded motorists that heat can affect alertness, increase fatigue and make driving more demanding, particularly on longer journeys.
Why extreme heat can affect drivers more than they realise
Most people think about road safety in terms of speed, weather or vehicle condition.
Heat tends to be overlooked. Yet it can have a surprisingly strong effect on the body.
When temperatures rise, drivers tire more quickly and often struggle to maintain the same level of concentration for extended periods. Long hours behind the wheel become more exhausting and reaction times can suffer.
According to information highlighted by Euromaster based on research from the Foundation for Road Safety, cabin temperatures above 35C can significantly increase the risk of an accident.
The organisation says the likelihood of a crash may rise by as much as 25 per cent under those conditions.
Researchers have also pointed out that excessive heat can affect alertness and decision making. Some comparisons have even been made between driving in extreme heat and driving after consuming alcohol within certain legal limits, not because the effects are identical, but because both can reduce a driver’s ability to react effectively.
Heat can also influence behaviour. Drivers may become more irritable, more impatient in traffic and less attentive to what is happening around them.
During busy summer weekends, when roads are already under pressure, that combination can create additional risks.
The car problems that often appear during a heatwave
While the DGT’s focus is often on drivers, vehicles can suffer too. Mechanics frequently describe the first major heatwave of the year as a test that exposes weaknesses which may have gone unnoticed during spring.
Tyres are among the components most affected by high temperatures.
Hot road surfaces place extra stress on rubber, making tyre pressure and tread condition particularly important before setting off on a long journey.
Cooling systems also come under greater strain. A vehicle with a minor issue that causes no problems in mild weather may suddenly struggle when temperatures climb towards 40C.
Experts recommend checking coolant levels, engine oil and braking systems before travelling.
Batteries can also be affected by prolonged exposure to heat, especially older units approaching the end of their lifespan.
Then there is the air conditioning. Most drivers see it as a comfort feature. Traffic authorities see it as something more important.
The DGT recommends maintaining the interior of the vehicle at around 22C to 24C, arguing that comfortable temperatures help drivers remain alert and focused throughout the journey.
The summer mistake authorities keep seeing every year
Despite repeated warnings, emergency services continue to respond to the same preventable situations every summer and one of the most dangerous involves leaving children, elderly people or pets inside parked vehicles.
Even when outside temperatures seem manageable, conditions inside a closed car can become dangerous in a surprisingly short period of time.
The DGT is also encouraging drivers to avoid travelling during the hottest hours whenever possible, particularly during long journeys.
Regular breaks remain one of the simplest ways to reduce fatigue. The agency recommends stopping every two hours or roughly every 200 kilometres, drinking water frequently and pulling over immediately if signs of tiredness begin to appear.
With temperatures climbing across much of Spain and summer traffic expected to increase over the coming weeks, authorities say preparation matters more than ever.
Most drivers will remember to check their tyres, fuel level and air conditioning before setting off.
The DGT’s message is that they should not forget to check something else as well : The condition of the driver. Because during a Spanish heatwave, that may be the most important safety feature in the entire vehicle.
