Summer hazards while driving in Canada: A new driver’s safety guide

When people think of dangerous driving conditions, winter usually comes to mind, with situations like icy roads, blowing snow, and reduced visibility. But don’t let the sunshine fool you. Summer driving in Canada brings its own set of road hazards.

With more Canadians heading out on road trips and vacations, traffic volume tends to rise in the warmer months. And while data from Transport Canada shows that overall road fatalities and injuries have been increasing in recent years, it’s not just a winter problem. Accidents can happen in any season.

It’s important to know how to spot hazards on the road so you can keep yourself and other road users safe. Let’s take a closer look at the potential hazards drivers may face during a Canadian summer.

Increased summer traffic: How to drive defensively and avoid collisions

Summertime brings nicer weather and warmer temperatures than wintertime, which means you can expect to see more cars on the road. In fact, data from Statistics Canada shows that between July and September 2024, Canadians took 94.3 million domestic trips. And according to a report by GlobeNewswire, 82% of Canadian motorists plan on taking summer road trips in 2025.

Plus, we can't forget about tourists. May to September are peak tourist months in Canada, with July and August being the highest for international tourist arrivals, according to Road Genius. In 2022, we welcomed around 12.8 million visitors, and many of those visitors spent time on the road.

Not surprisingly, demand for rental cars in Canada surged in 2022. The auto rental and leasing industry pulled in $8.6 billion that year, up more than 20% from the year before. About 40% of those sales came from everyday people and families, which shows just how popular road travel was among both locals and tourists.

Example: On Highway 1 near Banff, traffic slows unpredictably. Mia keeps four seconds behind the SUV ahead, chooses the center of her lane for better sightlines, and avoids lane hopping. When a minivan signals to merge from an on-ramp, she eases off the throttle early to create space, preventing a last-second brake slam.

More young drivers on the road: What to expect and how to stay safe

And speaking of increased traffic. The summer months often bring more young and inexperienced drivers on the road, as well. This is because the summer is when teens and young adults are out of school and home from college or university, giving them more time to practice their driving skills.

While practicing driving and developing safe driving habits is important, other drivers should be on alert, as young drivers are statistically more likely to get into accidents due to their limited road experience. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, drivers aged 15-24 accounted for 13.7% of total fatalities and 16.9% of total serious injuries in 2022.

Example: At a green light, a teen in the next lane hesitates, then accelerates late. Amir anticipates indecision, keeps his lane, and doesn’t pace side-by-side; he either passes decisively when safe or drops back to re-establish a buffer. He also avoids stopping with his front bumper directly beside the teen’s rear quarter panel to prevent getting trapped if they drift.

Cyclists and motorcycles in summer traffic: Safe passing and blind-spot checks

In addition to more cars on the road, you’ll also start to see a lot more cyclists and motorcyclists sharing the road. Warmer weather encourages everyone to get outside, and that means more two-wheeled vehicles alongside your car. It’s important to stay alert, especially when navigating through intersections or changing lanes. Always check your blind spots, give cyclists plenty of space, and pass them slowly and carefully.

The same goes for motorcycles. While their smaller size makes them harder to spot, it also makes them more vulnerable in a collision. Statistics Canada data show that 258 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2022. So keep an eye out on highways and side roads, and remember that although lane-splitting is illegal in some provinces, some motorcyclists still do it.

If you’re riding this summer or have questions about motorcycle insurance, including whether year-round motorcycle coverage is worth it, reach out to BrokerLink.

Example (cyclist): On a 50 km/h urban road, Leah waits behind a cyclist until the oncoming lane is clear, then signals, checks mirrors and shoulder, and passes with at least 1–1.5 m of space at a gentle speed differential. She checks for dooring zones and doesn’t squeeze between the cyclist and parked cars.Example (motorcycle): Before a left turn, Evan looks left-right-left and specifically re-checks for a small, fast-approaching motorcycle that might be obstructed. He keeps the wheels straight while waiting, so a rear-end bump won’t push him into the intersection.

Pedestrians in warm weather: Residential scanning and playground-zone tips

The warm weather brings more people outdoors. Instead of driving, many people will opt to walk to their destination to enjoy the weather and soak up some vitamin D. It's also important to keep in mind that there will be more children spending time outdoors during the summer when school's out, and children can be unpredictable.

Therefore, when driving through residential areas and city streets in the summer or near parks, take extra caution. Make sure you're driving the speed limit and remain vigilant. You never know when a child might dart into the road after a runaway basketball.

Example: In a 30 km/h playground zone at 5:30 p.m., Noor scans between parked cars for feet, balls, or scooter handlebars. She covers the brake, rides the right third of her lane for better curb visibility, and expects a late sprint from a child chasing a ball. She’s already at 25–30 km/h, so she can stop smoothly without a panic brake.

Potholes after winter: How to spot and prevent summer road damage

Canada is known for its harsh winters. And after months of freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, and the springtime freeze and thaw, it’s no surprise when potholes start popping up everywhere. Pair this with increased traffic and wear and tear on roads, and you get some significant potholes.

In fact, CTV News reported that crews in Toronto, Ontario, had already filled over 108,000 potholes by early May 2025. And according to Global News, more than 1,600 pothole-related insurance claims were filed by early April 2024 in Manitoba, already surpassing half the total from the year before.

Hitting a deep pothole can lead to significant damage, including busted tires, messed-up suspension, or even alignment issues. That’s why it's important to stay alert this summer.

Example: After a spring thaw, Marco sees a dark patch ahead that might be a pothole. He eases off the accelerator, holds the wheel straight, and straddles the hazard if safe. After an unavoidable hit, he pulls over to inspect sidewalls and rims, checks TPMS, and notes a new steering pull, signalling a likely alignment issue to fix before a road trip.

Construction zones in summer: Zipper merges and reduced-speed best practices

Summer in Canada is also the peak construction season. With road repairs, resurfacing projects, and new developments ramping up, drivers can expect to encounter more construction zones. Driving near construction zones can be dangerous in the summer as these areas often come with lane closures, reduced speed limits, heavy machinery near traffic, and unexpected debris on the road.

But the biggest risk is the construction workers themselves. According to Road Safety at Work, between 2015 and 2024, nine roadside workers were struck and killed by vehicles in British Columbia, and 267 sustained serious injuries. Drivers and passengers were also injured in these collisions. That's why it's essential to stay alert, move over, and follow the posted speed limit when driving through construction zones.

Example: A sign reads “Right lane ends 1 km.” Priya stays in her lane and signals early, matching the posted reduced speed. At the taper, she zipper merges, one car from the left, one from the right, without racing to the end. Passing workers, she keeps wheels straight, hands at 9-and-3, and adds a full second to her following distance on fresh gravel.

Tire blowouts in hot weather: Pressure checks and what to do next

Tire blowouts are more common in the summer than in the winter due to hotter temperatures. Hot weather causes the air inside your tires to expand, raising the pressure. If your tires are already underinflated, they’ll flex more than they should, creating extra heat, which can increase the risk of a blowout. Plus, Transport Canada says driving with underinflated tires can wear out your tread faster and make your vehicle use more fuel, since the tires create more resistance on the road.

For this reason, regular vehicle maintenance is important. Check your tire pressure frequently and look for signs of cracking in the sidewall or tread.

Example (prevention): On a +32°C day, Dylan checks “cold” tire pressures before driving; they match the door-placard PSI. He avoids loading bikes and camping gear beyond the tire’s load rating and glances at tread-wear bars for replacement timing.

Example (response): When the right rear blows on the Coquihalla, he grips the wheel, maintains speed briefly to stay stable, signals, then eases off the throttle and guides to the shoulder. He turns on hazards, uses triangles, and swaps to the spare only from a flat, firm surface.

Animals and wildlife crossings: Dusk-and-dawn driving strategies

Animals are unpredictable, and they’re undeniably more active during the summer months. Thus, even if you live in urban areas, but especially if you live in more rural areas, be on alert for not just small animals like skunks, squirrels, and opossums, but also larger animals like moose, deer, and elk.

Many animals tend to be most active around dawn, dusk, and during the night, so if you're driving through wooded areas, keep an eye on the roadside and watch for the reflection of animal eyes in your headlights. Also, it's a good idea to slow down in designated wildlife zones to allow for more reaction time to avoid hitting an animal.

Example: At dusk on Highway 63, Aria sees a deer crossing sign and reflective eyes in the ditch. She drops from 100 to 80 km/h, moves slightly toward the center of her lane for reaction room, and uses high beams when alone. When a deer steps out, she hard brakes in a straight line, not swerving into the oncoming lane or shoulder, with hands steady until the animal clears.

Sun glare while driving: Visor setup, clean glass, and visibility tips

Sun glare is another summer road hazard that is important for drivers to be aware of. Although we all welcome the sun after a long, cold winter, sunlight can easily blind drivers, leading to major accidents. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can reduce the sun glare while driving, which include:

• Wearing polarized sunglasses

• Using the sun visor in your car

• Keeping your windshield clean

• Replacing your windshield wipers regularly

Example: Driving due west at 7:45 p.m., Quentin sets his visor just below the sun’s edge, wears polarized sunglasses, and keeps the windshield interior free of haze. He increases the following distance between vehicles to buffer against brake-light washout and takes additional care at left turns aligned with the low sun.

Learn more contacting BrokerLink

If you want more summer driving tips from licensed professionals, contact BrokerLink today. We can provide further insight into summer road hazards, as well as common winter road hazards.

As a full-service insurance brokerage, we can also help you find a quality car insurance policy or help with other tasks like renewing car insurance, adding another driver to your policy, or explaining the cost benefits of multiple auto insurance policies.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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