With warmer months ahead, those lucky few with a cool convertible car will be putting the top down and hitting the open road. There are so many positive things about being in a convertible - the wind blowing through your hair, the sun on your cheeks, the feeling of flying - that everyone who sees you roaring past is instantaneously envious. It’s fun and glamorous and a little bit dangerous. Dangerous in the bad sense, unfortunately. By virtue of the fact that you’ve got no roof, you’re putting yourself in more danger than the average car occupant.

Wind is one thing to be whipping through your hair, but what about dirt, stones or other road debris that can get thrown in while you’re driving. Because there’s no hard top, something what would normally hit the roof of the car is going to hit someone or something inside the car instead. Ooof! That could not only hurt, but be fatal. And what about if the car rolls? Make sure your convertible car has automatic roll bars that would deploy in the event of an accident. Remember Jayne Mansfield? Decapitated! Okay, so maybe that is an urban legend, but she did die in a convertible of fatal head trauma.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and the ones you love while driving in your convertible. First of all, everyone and everything (including pets) must be buckled up or harnessed. Next, everyone should be wearing some sort of eye protector - we’re not talking about driving goggles like in the time of the Model T - simple sunglasses will work. Finally, don’t forget the sun block, because though you may not feel it, you are getting the full effect of the sun’s rays. Last but not least, pay attention to the road ahead, and forego the wave to your adoring public. They’ll understand.