Watch Out For These 4 Major Summer Driving Hazards

Tony Mers • July 10, 2019

Now that summer has finally arrived, people are getting out on the road more than ever. From day trips to the beach to full-on family vacations, Americans are hopping in their cars and enjoying the warm temperatures while they can. Though most people associate car accidents with the harsh winter weather, the fact of the matter is that they can happen at any time -- including the height of summer. To avoid the dangers of a crash and the costs of collision repairservices, do your best to be aware of the following four summer driving hazards.

Blowouts: The summer heat can do a number on your tires. Hot weather causes the air within your tires to expand, which can easily lead to a blowout in well-worn wheels. Since having your tire burst while driving can be a serious danger to yourself and others on the road, it's best to check your tires on a regular basis during the summer months -- especially during heat waves.

Construction: Summer season is also construction season. In addition to increased traffic (everybody's headed to their own vacation, remember?), you'll have to deal with work zones, lane closes, and unexpected changes to your daily route. Many people tend to get impatient and frustrated in such situations, which only exacerbates an already dangerous problem. Do your best to keep a cool head and a steady pace during construction detours; either avoid known work zones or anticipate the delay and give yourself extra time.

More teens on the road: New drivers flood the streets in the form of teenagers during the summer months. School is out, so more are able to go where they want, when they want, and others have just completed their driver's test and obtained their license; the unavoidable lack of experience can be protected against simply by being alert and paying attention to the road and drivers around.

On average, there's a read end collision on U.S. roads every eight seconds. Though there are many auto body shops available to provide collision repairs in the event of an accident, it's always better to avoid the risk of a crash in the first place. If you're able to be conscious of and watch out for the above summer hazards, you'll be able to spend the season on the beach rather than stranded at home without a ride.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.