Sep 25, 2015
Many welcome Fall with it’s pumpkin flavored everything, it’s endless sweaters, it’s cooler temperatures, it’s apple picking and much more. What people don’t realize though is with Fall weather conditions come dangerous fall driving conditions to watch out for. Between the leaves changing colors and the lower temperatures, there is a lot to look out for when driving.
- The first rainfall after a significant period of dry, humid days is going to make for very slippery roads. It mixes with all the dust and oils that have accumulated over time and can leave you slipping and sliding if you’re not careful.
- The leaves are going to start to fall and litter the roadways. Not only can these leaves cover road markings and make them hard to read but they may also cover potholes in the roads that can lead to damage to your vehicle if you drive over them.
- There will be an increase of traffic when school starts back up after summer vacation. Make sure to leave a little earlier to get from point a to point b to avoid stressing over being late or getting frustrated and creating road rage. Remember to always bring your vehicle to a stop when there is a school bus with it’s lights flashing, no matter what lane you are in or what side of the road you are on.
- There are going to be drivers who will be distracted by the changing of the leaves colors. Expect to see some of them slow down or even come to a stop on the side of the road to take pictures.
- The cool fall mornings are going to create fog so it’s best to keep a distance between the cars around you to avoid any accidents. Make sure not to use your high beams for it will only bounce off the fog and make it even harder to see, instead use the low beams.
- Temperatures will drop overnight which is going to cause frost on windshields. It will also make for more slippery bridges and overpasses. Driving before the windshields have been defrosted can be very dangerous.
- The sun is going to be rising setting earlier. It will make for more difficult driving to and from work because the angles are going hit your windshield and/or rearview mirror with such intensity while rising and setting on your way to and from work. Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car.
- Look out for deer! It’s their mating season so they are likely to be out and about much more often. Keep your eyes peeled at night when your driving around areas that may have them.
- Wash the inside and outside of your windshield or the glare from the sun is going to make it even more difficult to see with a dirty windshield instead of a clean, streak-free one.
- Tires are known to lose pressure with the introduction of lower temperatures. Fill up your tires and keep checking them.
While the conditions aren’t quite as bad as they will be in the winter, these conditions still deserve enough attention to make sure everyone is educated on them. It can decrease accidents on the roadways if people know what to look out for and what precautions to take.
