Fall Driving Safety Tips

The start of fall is usually accompanied by many new changes like cooler temperatures, withering leaves, and the commencement of a new school year and football games. While some of the changes might not be obvious, they’re sure to have a great deal of impact on your daily commute. For instance, the fallen leaves on the road can be almost as slippery as ice.

Besides this, fall comes with various weather hazards that must be approached with caution, including low road visibility inducing fog, wet and slippery leaves that can cause vehicles to hydroplane, fewer hours of daylight, and so on. Use the following fall driving tips to stay safe and enjoy this wonderful season.

Fall Driving Tips For Morning Frost

Fall is known for its almost instantaneous temperature fluctuations. In other words, the weather can be calm one moment and warm the next. This constant temperature change often causes roads to become wet and slippery. Therefore drivers are advised to drive slowly and brake gently to avoid hydroplaning on fall leaves and fall hazards, especially when driving on bridges and overpasses.

Always drive with caution and keep an eye out for black ice when driving in the fall season. It tends to form in cold temperatures, especially during the early hours and when it starts getting dark.

Whenever you spot black ice while driving, make sure to slow down a little and avoid slamming the bakes when driving across them, as this can cause your car to swerve out of control.

Driving in Fog

It’s not uncommon to encounter fog during fall. We recommend using low-beam headlights when driving in fog as it will help other drivers spot your car and is also less distracting than using high beams. Another reason why using low beams is more suited for fog driving is because it aims downward and increases depth perception, allowing you to see your surroundings better.

Since foggy roads diminish road visibility, make sure to maintain a safe following distance between your car and other vehicles in case they stop abruptly so you can see traffic lines, pavement markings, icy patches, and potholes which can sometimes be covered by leaves.

Prepare For Sunset Glare When Driving In The Morning

Sun glare is usually more intense when the sun rises and sets during the fall season. It can be hard to see stop signs, incoming vehicles, obstacles on the road, and even pedestrians during sweater weather.

The best way to avoid getting caught off guard during peak glare times is by thoroughly cleaning your windshields and wiper blades and removing all reflective objects from your dashboard, as they’re likely to bounce the light off your windshield.

As much as you’d like to give your car that new vehicle shine, avoid using waxing products on it during the fall season. Such products tend to magnify sun glare during peak glare times and can temporarily blind drivers who aren’t wearing sunglasses or using their sun visors.

Keep a pair of sunglasses handy before you drive as they will help shield your eyes from sun glare. If you often drive during night time, you should consider buying anti-reflective glasses as they help minimize glare from headlights and street lights which tend to make visibility difficult.

Wet Conditions

Since the fall season is usually accompanied by damp temps, when leaves begin to fall from trees, they are often wet and slippery and can cause vehicles to hydroplane like driving on ice. Before you begin driving, always take off residual leaves from your windshield to keep them from getting caught in your windshield wipers.

If you notice your wiper blades are starting to wear, it would be best to replace them as soon as you can because worn wipers won’t be able to clean your windshield correctly and can limit your vision, especially when driving in bad weather. When driving on wet roads, avoid ramming the brakes or turning all of a sudden, as your car is likely to hydroplane as it would when driving on ice.

Whenever you make either of these mistakes, and your vehicle begins to hydroplane, regain control of your vehicle by holding the steering wheel straight and gently taking your foot off the pedal until your tires start to gain traction.

Fall Driving Safety Tips To Help You Avoid Road Hazards When Driving In Fall Season

While you might not notice some changes in the early stages of fall, they are certain to affect your daily commute in ways you might not expect.

Below are some things to be on the lookout for and some very important factors to consider when driving this fall.

1. What To Do When You Encounter Wet Leaf Piles When Driving In The Rain

It rains most times when the weather begins to cool down; when it does, your tires won’t have as much traction as they would in normal road conditions. As such, you’ll need to drive cautiously and slower on wet roads, especially when you see a wet Leaf pile. More so when you spot piles of wet leaves ahead of your vehicle.

Speeding across the wet leaves will likely cause your car to hydroplane, especially if your tires are worn out. With this in mind, driving at moderate speeds and avoiding unnecessary sudden movements would be best.

2. Watch Out For Deer Crossing Signs Around Mating Season

Deer can be spotted on roads during the early and late hours of October as these are the times when they’re most active. Crashing into an unexpected obstacle, especially a deer, is not only dangerous but can be damaging to any vehicle.

To avoid encounters with deer on roads, don’t drive during peak hours; remember to use your high beams just in case. Using high beams will help you spot them easily when road visibility is poor, giving you sufficient time to respond.

3. Watch Out For Children When Driving Around School Zones

New school sessions commence with the start of the fall season, so you have to be extra cautious of kids on pedestrian walks and school buses while driving. You’ll need to be careful when driving during early and closing hours.

Keep your eyes peeled when driving around neighborhoods and school environments, as there will likely be kids walking and biking to school on almost every corner. In addition to this, you’ll need to observe school bus pick-up and drop-off safety regulations by stopping your vehicle and giving them the right of way.

Conclusion

It’s quite easy to lose tire pressure when driving in the fall due to atmospheric dampness and wet roads, which can cause tires to expand and contract.

Check your tires regularly and replace them if you begin to notice signs of wear. Doing this will drastically minimize the chances of your vehicle hydroplaning on fallen leaves and wet road surfaces.