Fall isn’t just about football games and pumpkin spice lattes; it comes with its own seasonal safety issues. When you’re on the road this autumn, you need to take note of several potential dangers.
The clearest sign of autumn is when the leaves fall, coating yards until they are inevitably raked away. But remember that the same leaves fall onto the road too.
Watch out for Fallen Leaves on Autumn Roads
You might be planning to take a vacation during the fall months to spot the changing leaves and foliage. But you may not realize that after those leaves fall, they can stick to the road and lead to a lot of trouble.
You might park further from sidewalks because of leaf piles. Fallen leaves block drainage and cause puddles and slick roads. They hide potholes and road markings from you, and most importantly, turn slick and slippery when left on the road.
When leaves stick to the road, they can be as slick as ice. If your car slides on the leaves, remain calm, and don’t slam on the brakes. Continue to turn the way you want to go and let go of the gas pedal.
It can be especially difficult to stop on wet leaves because a layer of water coats the top of the leaves like it does with ice and cars aren’t as good at stopping in water. In fact, if you’re driving 45 miles per hour and you want to stop, you need 80 feet of space, but on slick wet leaves, the amount of space increases to 200 feet.
Avoid these issues by being prepared. Clean leaves off your car before you leave, slow down if you see leaf-covered roads, keep a proper distance between your car and the ones around you and make sure your car has good tires.
Less Sunlight Poses a Fall Driving Problem
In the months leading up to the end of daylight savings time, the dark comes earlier and earlier and the driving fatality rate per mile of travel is about 3 times higher during the night. So slow down, put extra space between you and the car in front of you, turn off any distractions and focus on the road.
There are some other preventative measures to take as well:
- Keep your headlights clean and in working order.
- Watch for pedestrians and bikers.
- Watch for children at bus stops or walking to and from school.
- Keep an eye out for deer. Fall is deer-breeding season so watch for them in the road. Deer often travel in groups so if one crosses the road, be sure to watch for more to follow.
Fog, Frost and Fall
With the weather changing, it’s more likely to wake up to a frost covered car or a foggy haze to drive through.
Driving in fog and dealing with frost can be handled in 5 steps.
- Prepare. Before you leave, take the time to scrape the ice off not only your windshield, but your mirrors, side windows and back window. Warm your car up and turn on the defroster.
- Take your time. Worse conditions should always be approached through the lens of safety first. Frost can lead to slippery roads, and fog requires close attention. You should go into your drive with the attitude “You’ll get there when you get there.”
- Make yourself visible. Fog makes it hard for you to see. But it also makes it harder for everyone else to see you. High beam lights cause glare, which makes it more difficult to see, but if you turn on your low beam lights other people will be able to give you the proper distance on the road.
- Stay in your lane. If the fog is thick, watch the lines on the center and side of the road to make sure you are staying in the lane you are supposed to.
- Know when to take a break. If the fog is impassible, turn on your hazard lights and pull off the road into a safe location. Wait for the conditions to improve before continuing. If there isn’t a safe place to go, pull off the side of the road and park. Keep your hazard lights on but turn off your headlights. Take your foot off the brake and put on your emergency brake so no one will accidentally run into you by following your brake lights.
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Student Safety with Fall School Traffic
During the school year, more cars are on the road, more kids are walking to school and more bikes are riding on the side of the road. Make sure you’re being careful, safe and taking your time as you drive through school zones and before and after school hours. The most dangerous hours of the day for school-aged pedestrians are between 7-8 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.
Pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 5 to 19 in the United States, so be prepared for frequent stops and follow all traffic laws regarding school buses.
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Other Fall Driving Safety Tips
Tire Maintenance. As temperatures drop, so does tire pressure. Check your tires for adequate tread and proper inflation to improve traction on slippery roads.
Vehicle Maintenance. Regular maintenance is important all the time, but make sure your brakes, lights, and fluids are in good condition this fall.
Sun Glare Awareness. Sunrises and sunsets can create blinding glare. Keep sunglasses handy and use your sun visor as needed.
Check Your Vehicle’s Heater and Defroster. The car heater and defroster are crucial when it starts getting cold out. Before the cold weather hits, ensure they are working correctly to keep your windows clear and passengers warm.
Use Your Defogger Correctly. The problem that no one knows the answer to: do you use hot air or cold air to defrost your windows? As it turns out, you should use both! Turn on the heat and the air conditioning, as the air conditioner helps to remove moisture from the air and clears fogged windows more quickly.
As the leaves fall, daylight fades, and school zones become busier, you need to prioritize safety. So adapt your driving habits and appreciate the beauty of autumn while ensuring you arrive at your destination safely!
Injured in a Fall Traffic Accident? We Can Help!
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