The SUV is packed. Inner tubes, water wings, beach towels, and other equipment to guarantee fun in the sun and water are stowed. All riders are strapped in their seat belts. Accidents and injuries are the furthest thing from your mind.

We hate to spoil this idyllic picture, but are impelled to share these sobering statistics: According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), “a projection of traffic fatalities in 2011 shows that of an estimated 32,310 people who died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2011, the largest number – 8,970 – occurred during the July-August months.”

This should not be surprising as warmer weather brings more cars on the road, more pedestrians and cyclists, and construction. And because kids are out of school, danger multiplies for teen drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that “traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. The NHTSA has strategies for keeping young drivers safe on its website. Parents should insist that, before their kids take the wheel, they read and observe each one.

The organization AAA is aware that vigilance is needed during the summer, and on its site, they reveal they expect “to come to the rescue of 7.9 million stranded motorists between Memorial Day and Labor Day.”

Most calls to AAA would be unnecessary if drivers adhered to “three easy maintenance tasks any driver can perform to reduce their chances of becoming stranded and improve the safety of their road trip...”

• Tire inspections are simple to perform. The only tools needed are a quarter and a tire pressure gauge.

• Check the battery cables and ensure they are securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if there are signs of corrosion.

• While topping off the washer fluid, also check the wiper blades. If blades are worn, cracked, or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime, and other debris that can obscure a driver’s vision.

And before you hit the road, check out this site for 11 tips to avoid car accidents. We're highlighting three, but we suggest you read the full list.

• Check blind spots before you change lanes.

• Be mindful of approaching emergency vehicles and give way to them if you see their emergency lights flashing and/or hear their siren sounding.

• Keep a safe distance. When you push the brake, it takes a few seconds to stop the car because of the time it takes to react, think, and push the brake.

Now, turn on the ignition and have a safe and wonderful trip!