Although traffic accidents are a major problem year-round in Egypt, in summer as crowds of holidaymakers take to the roads the number of crashes seems to increase.

According to the World Health Organisation, Egypt ranks poorly when it comes to road safety and the number of car accidents.

Each year, roads claim the lives of almost 12,000 Egyptians, which means that of every 100,000 deaths, 42 people die due to traffic accidents.

Almost 48 percent of these fatalities are passengers in four-wheeled vehicles, while a fifth are pedestrians.

In Egypt, laws and regulations regarding speeding, use of mobile phones during driving, and use of seat belts are still poorly obeyed.

As a result, recent years have seen a number of grassroots campaigns spring up, trying to raise awareness of road safety.

And because soaring temperatures are a major cause of tyre blasts that increase the number of accidents, the Egyptian buying-and-selling internet site Dubizzle had issued these five essential tips to raise awareness of road safety during summer.

1. Keep your tyres maintained

As the temperature soars, the volume of the air present inside the tyres will expand. This might cause inflation of the tyre, or in the worst cases might cause it to burst.

So even though regular checkouts are essential year around, in summer it is of utmost importance.

Always have the pressure checked when the tyres are cold.

Check for lumps, holes, cuts and uneven wear patterns.

It should be noted that when air in the tyre is not adequate, this might cause more friction with the road, and thereby increase the heat on the tyre.

Some tyres have 1.6mm high tread wear indicators running across the tread, and the markings on the tyre side wall indicate the position. When the tread depth is just before the tread wear indicator, the tyre must be changed.

2. Seek the shade

Even if it means more time searching for a place to park, it is worth the effort and the time to make sure that your car is parked in the shade.

If you can’t find a spot in the shade, position your car so that the sun falls on the rear window.

3. Regulate your car service

Hot summer means over exerted and exhausted batteries and air conditioners. Your car needs frequent and regular service checks, oil changes and double-checking of the belts and the batteries.

4. Keep an eye on what is left behind in the car

High temperatures mean the danger of explosion of many items that we might usually leave behind in the car.

Your vehicle should be empty of pressurised bottles, perfumes, deodorants, sprays, and lighters.

5. Emergency items

Always have the following in your car: your car service centre number or your mechanic’s number, a first aid kit, and an emergency car-care kit.

6. Choose a darker glass shade

It’s always a good step to reduce the temperature of the inside of your car by choosing a glass shade that is a bit darker or tinting your windows. Be careful not to exceed the legal limits in Egypt. You can also use also a windshield sunshade.