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NEMT Summer Safety: Driving During Hot Weather 

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Cars driving down the interstate on a hot day with car maintenance symbol green.

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As spring turns to summer, NEMT drivers and fleets face a new set of challenges. With much of the U.S., especially the Northeast, Midwest, and West, expected to see above-average heat this year1, it’s more important than ever to prepare your vehicles and routes. Summer heat not only impacts vehicle performance, but it can also put vulnerable passengers at risk. From overheated interiors to sudden mechanical issues, warm weather can quickly turn a routine trip into an emergency. This blog offers safety tips to help you protect your passengers and your fleet during the hottest months. 

The Risks of Hot Weather for NEMT Drivers 

NEMT drivers often transport patients who are elderly, disabled, or have medical conditions that make them more sensitive to heat. High cabin temperatures can cause fatigue, dizziness, or even heatstroke for both passengers and drivers2. Vehicle issues also spike in summer: tire blowouts, overheated engines, and weak batteries are all more likely when temps soar3. For fleets operating on tight schedules, these risks can lead to delays, breakdowns, and safety concerns. Being proactive about safety can reduce downtime and ensure comfort for everyone onboard. 

Getting Your NEMT Vehicle Ready

Preparation is key to staying safe. Start with your tires, check for wear and ensure they’re properly inflated to handle hot pavement3. As ambient air temperatures rise, so will tire pressure even if air is not added to the tires. Top off coolant and engine fluids and test your A/C system before daily routes34. Make sure accessibility features like lifts and ramps are working smoothly, even in high heat2. Stock your vehicle with emergency water bottles, a first-aid kit, and extra medical supplies your passengers might need during long rides. A well-prepped NEMT vehicle is safer, more reliable, and far more comfortable during heatwaves. 

Smart Driving & Heat Safety Tips for NEMT Fleets

To keep passengers safe, plan routes with shaded stops or indoor pickup/drop-off points whenever possible. If you can schedule rides during the cooler morning hours, do so2. If not, keep the vehicle cooler by parking in the shade, pre-cooling the cabin before picking up passengers. Keep an eye on weather alerts and allow for extra time on high-heat days. Most importantly, check in on passengers throughout the ride to monitor for signs of heat stress. If anyone is exhibiting signs of life-threatening heat stress, dial 911 immediately. With smart planning, summer safety becomes part of your standard service, and your passengers will thank you for it. 

Footnotes/References 

  1. The Weather Channel, U.S. Summer Outlook 2025. 
  1. Stellar Transport, Summer Safety for NEMT Drivers.  
  1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Summer Driving Tips PDF.  
  1. AAA Magazine, Summer Driving Safety Tips. 

Steer Clear of Deer

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Deer crossing sign on open road in the forest

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It’s that time of year…… yep you guessed it, it’s deer season. Peak deer activity season occurs during the Fall and early Winter months. This makes Fall the time of year that you need to be most vigilant and alert while driving.

There are two main reasons why drivers may see more deer along the roads during the Fall & early Winter months:

Analog clock - hour hand going backwards to signify daylight savings time
  • Time Changes: As we begin to “Fall Back” for daylight savings times, peak driving hours for most drivers on the road tend to fall during the same hours which deer are most active, dawn & dusk.
  • Mating Season: Mating season for deer occurs between October and late December, depending on location. Male deer go into “rut” and start searching for mates. This mating increases their activity and distances they travel, bringing them in contact with more roadways.

The following are some tips and information to help avoid potential collisions with deer during this time of the year:

  • Time of Year: While the Fall months are peaking breeding season, deer-car collisions can occur anytime of year. During Fall breeding season, deer movement increases bringing them in contact with roadways that cross their natural habitats. Road shoulders generally provide beneficial food plants. Deer are attracted to these plants in late-winter, early spring and late summer.
  • Time of Day: As deer are most active at dawn and dusk, they are typically seen along roads during early morning and late evening hours, at the same time most people are commuting to and from work.
  • Deer Are Unpredictable: Remember deer are wild and therefore can be unpredictable. A deer calmly standing on the side of the road may bolt into the road rather than away from the road when startled by a vehicle.
2 deer family
  • One Deer Usually Means Multiple: Take caution and slow down when a deer crosses the road in front of you. Deer usually travel in groups, so it is likely that others may follow. If you see a deer cross up ahead be alert for others.
  • Minimize Damage: If it is too late to avoid a collision with a deer, drivers are advised to slow down as much as possible to minimize damage. Do NOT swerve to avoid the deer if collision is inevitable, as this may cause further damage, sending drivers off the road or a collision with another vehicle.

Drive Safe this Deer Season and Steer Clear of Deer.

Winter Weather Driving Tips

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Winter weather is unpredictable. When else can you experience all four seasons in 24 hours? Rapidly changing weather is challenging to predict and can leave you stranded if you are not prepared. In the last ten years, we have experienced several significant snow and ice events that moved in rapidly and caught weather forecasters and motorists off guard. As a result, hundreds of motorists were stranded and abandoned their cars on the roadways and interstates. Motorists spent hours outside trying to walk to a shelter or waiting on police or other assistance in many cases. Taking the time to think about winter weather and preparing your vehicle should be done with the change of season. If not, you should at least make provisions if you travel in places where winter weather happens more frequently. You can take some simple preparation steps to save you significant angst and exposure if you experience a winter weather event.

Triple-A recommends taking the following Winter Car Care Checklist:  

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WINTER CAR CARE CHECKLIST

  • Battery and Charging System – Have a trained technician test the battery and charging system. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather., if necessary, replace weak batteries.
  • Battery Cables and Terminals – Check the condition of the battery cables and terminals. Ensure all connections are secure and remove any corrosion from the terminals and posts.
  • Drive Belts – Inspect belts for cracks or fraying. Don’t just look at the smooth top surface of the belt, but turn it over and check the grooved underside where most belt wear occurs.
  • Engine Hoses –Visually inspect the cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks, or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the hoses to check for any that may be brittle or excessively spongy feeling and need replacement.
  • Tire Type and Tread – Changing to snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction in areas with heavy winter weather. All-season tires will work well in light to moderate snow conditions, providing adequate tread depth. If any tire has less than 3/32-inches of tread, it should be replaced. Uneven wear on the tires can indicate alignment, suspension, or wheel balance problems that should be addressed to prevent further damage to the tires.
  • Tire Pressure – Check tire pressure more frequently during winter months. As the temperature drops, so will the pressures in the tires—typically 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And, don’t forget to check the spare.
  • Air Filter – Check the engine’s air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, replace it if the light is blocked by most of the filter.
  • Coolant Levels – Check the coolant level when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. The level of antifreeze protection can be checked with an inexpensive tester available at any auto parts store.
  • Lights – Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights, and backup lights. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
  • Wiper Blades – Blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. In areas with snowy conditions, consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade in a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the rubber blade and the glass.
  • Washer Fluid – Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution with antifreeze components for cold weather use.
  • Brakes – Have brakes inspected by a certified technician to ensure all components are in good working order.
  • Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids – Check all fluids to ensure they are at or above the minimum safe levels.
  • Emergency Road Kit – Update the car’s emergency kit for winter weather. If you plan to travel to areas with heavy snow.

Items you should include when driving in areas with high snow:

  1. Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
  2. Snow (or small) shovel
  3. Snowbrush
  4. Flashlight with extra batteries
  5. Window washer fluid (cold weather mix)
  6. Ice scraper
  7. Cloth or roll of paper towels
  8. Jumper cables
  9. Gloves, hats and boots
  10. Blanket(s)
  11. Warning devices (flares or triangles)
  12. Drinking water
  13. Non-perishable snacks (energy or granola bars)
  14. Extra clothes
  15. First-aid kit
  16. Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
  17. Mobile phone and car charger (and external battery pack) with essential numbers programmed in it, including a roadside assistance provider

You should also consider the following items as a car emergency kit:

  • A small supply of necessary medications
  • Pet supplies (food, treats) if applicable
  • Matches and flares
  • A basic tool kit, including a sharp knife and electrical tape
  • Tire chains or cables
  • A filled spare tire, changing equipment, and compressed air
  • Add a tourniquet and splint to first-aid kit
  • A small, type ABC fire extinguisher. It’s also important that you learn how to use it.
  • A paper map in case you lose data signal or can’t see snow-covered signs