The term “Sunday driver” has been used for generations to describe a slow, deliberate driver not necessarily in a rush to arrive at any particular destination.

It’s reasonable to add “summer driver” to the vocabulary, at least in our region. These consist of young people out of school for the summer, travelers coming and going, vacationers, lake house owners and trailers carrying all sorts of vehicles and machinery. In summer, the numbers of these drivers increases dramatically in towns and on the roads outside of them. In town, there are sure to be more bicycles and more pedestrians with school out, as well.

This increase in road traffic offsets the advantage of roads being better and safer in the summer. It fosters a dangerous situation all its own as illustrated in the number of automobile and motorcycle accidents. It should also be noted that many summer festivities include a drinking component, increasing potential risk.

While most are enjoying the opportunity to take to the road to travel, visit the lakes and parks, or just indulge in the outdoors after a long winter, this is a good time to remember that there are a lot more people on the roads and not everyone is the same level of skill and not everyone has the same familiarity level with the roads.

Summer’s carefree feel belies the need for particular safety while driving. Let’s take caution out there and help create a safe setting for summer driving.