With the official start of summer underway and the Fourth of July holiday coming up, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) remind motorists to do their part to keep the roads safe this summer.

"During the summer months many families hit the roads for long weekends, holiday celebrations and summer vacations," said Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy. "Having a well maintained vehicle, planning ahead, and following traffic safety laws is the key to roadway safety for drivers and their passengers."

Hot weather can be rough on cars. Higher temperatures speed up a car's wear and tear, as fluids and lubricants break down more quickly. But by following your vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule (see your car's owner's manual) and taking the following precautions, your car will be ready for a long, hot summer:

    * Consider a pre-trip inspection by a qualified technician before you leave on a long trip.
    * Operationally, check the air conditioning, and inspect the belts and hoses. You may want to have a service professional inspect the entire system.
    * Inspect batteries and battery cables for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Hot weather can shorten a battery's life, so have it tested if it's near the end of its warranty.
    * Have a licensed brake adjuster inspect your brake pads and linings for wear.
    * Change the engine oil and filter according to the manufacturer's service intervals and specifications. The service technician should also check the coolant, brake, automatic transmission, windshield wiper and power steering fluids.
    * Replace ragged wiper blades.
    * Check the air pressure in all tires, including the spare, to make sure they are properly inflated. Uneven or excessive treadwear are signs that it may be time for rotation or even replacement.
    * Test your car's interior and exterior lights, including turn signals and high beams, to make sure they work. This is also a good time to clean the lenses to get maximum visibility.

"While summer is a time for fun, travel and relaxation, we can never relax from our responsibilities on the road whether riding on two, four or eighteen wheels," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. OTS and CHP also recommend that you prepare for your trip by having the right resources on hand. This includes packing a flashlight, jumper cables, and flares, and having food, water, any needed medications and a cell phone in your vehicle.

Preparation also means planning your travel route and allowing plenty of time to get to your destination. Be familiar with the maps/directions and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time. With the increased numbers of drivers on the roads, it's important to remember key traffic safety laws and practices. These include:

    * Always buckle up, and if traveling with children, properly secure them in the back seat. California law requires children younger than 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds be properly secured in the back seat.
    * When celebrating, do so responsibly, always plan ahead and designate a sober driver. If you spot a drunk driver, report them by calling 911.
    * If talking on a wireless telephone, use a hands free device. Under California law, motorists over the age of 18 can use a hands free device to talk on wireless telephone while driving.
    * When driving, do not send text messages, it's distracting, dangerous and as of January 2009, it's against the law.
    * Motorcyclists need to follow California law and always wear a helmet. Preliminary numbers from CHP indicate more than 550 motorcyclists were killed in collisions statewide in 2008.
    * To prevent motorcycle crashes, CHP and OTS encourage all motorcycle riders to participate in the California Motorcyclists Safety Program before beginning to ride or coming back to riding after a long time away.
    * Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the roadway.
    * Slow down and increase distances between cars.
    * Avoid fatigue - get plenty of rest before a trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.

If motorists follow these safety tips, it will help keep our roadways safer during these summer months. This effort is part of the on-going California Strategic Highway Safety Plan, where hundreds of state and local agencies, advocacy groups and private industries helped develop tactics to significantly reduce deaths and injuries.