The Fall season is when the leaves change color and you get to see your state in a different light! With the Fall season comes cool, rainy weather, and longer nights, which means a lot of fog and falling leaves. Although these falling leaves are beautifully colored, they can create road hazards and decrease road safety. Here’s what you need to know when you’re behind the wheel during the fall.
What Are the Most Common Driving Hazards During Fall?
Wet leaves, glares from the sun, and road-crossing deer are more prevalent during the fall, which means an increase in serious injuries and auto insurance claims due to collisions. Rainfall makes the roads slick, and wet leaves make the roads worse by making them slippery. When it’s raining and leaves are falling, you have a recipe for an accident if you aren’t careful.
What Steps Can I Take to Be Safe on the Road During Fall?
You can take different steps to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident while traveling on the road.
Adapt to Wet Conditions
When the roads are wet, drive slower and keep a reasonable distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Driving over wet leaves has the same effect as driving over ice. Your tires can lose traction, causing you to lose control of your vehicle.
If it feels like your car is moving on its own, it is a sign that it is hydroplaning. Avoid slamming on the brakes as this could cause your car to spin. Instead, remove your foot from the accelerator and allow your vehicle to slow down on its own while turning the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
Learn How to Navigate Through Darkness
If you don’t know how to navigate through darkness, you’ll have to learn, quickly. During Fall, the days get shorter, which means it gets darker earlier, so you’ll do more driving in the dark than in the daylight.
When it rains, take the proper precautions by decreasing your speed and distancing your vehicle from other vehicles, especially the vehicle in front of you, especially at night. It may take you longer to react when it’s difficult to see.
You need to ensure that your vehicle’s headlights properly function before traveling, regardless of the distance you’re traveling. You should only use your high beams where there are no other vehicles on the road or nearby. Be advised that when you’re traveling on two-lane roads, the light from other driver’s headlights can obstruct your vision. When you’re driving through a neighborhood, drive slowly and be on the lookout for pedestrians.
Prepare for Temperature Changes
It may not snow during the Fall in some areas, but the temperature will get colder, so you’ll need to be on the lookout for black ice. This type of ice is dangerous because it’s difficult to see, and most of the time, you don’t know it’s black ice until it’s too late.
If your vehicle starts to skid (slide all over the place) after you drive over a patch of ice, slowly take your foot off of the accelerator and adjust your steering wheel as you normally if you were hydroplaning.
Be Prepared
Fog and wet roads are a couple of things you need to be prepared to take on, but you’ll also need to prepare your vehicle before driving. If necessary, keep an ice scraper handy to clear the frost from your windshield and other windows before traveling to your destination. Since the temperature is getting cooler, you should allow your vehicle to warm up so the lubricating oil can properly work its way through the car’s engine.
Keep in Mind That Fog Brings Reduced Visibility
Fog is common in the U.S. during fall and winter. Fog are clouds that form near the ground. Because these clouds are close to the ground, it makes it difficult to drive since you can’t see too far ahead of you when it’s foggy. Drive slowly and use your low beams. Turning on your low beams ensures your vehicle’s taillights are on, making you more visible to the vehicles behind you.
If your vehicle has fog lights, use them! Fog lights are positioned lower than your primary headlights to illuminate the road under the fog. Also, avoid using your high beams when it’s foggy out because it can reflect the bright light, making it more difficult to see the road ahead of you.
Reduce Glare
Glares from the sun are the worst during Fall. When the sunrise occurs at the time of morning rush hour traffic, this can be a disaster. If you’re driving during this time, or around sunset, minimize the impact of the glare by wearing sunglasses. It’s important to keep your windshield clean because dirty glass can amplify the glare from the sun.
Watch for Children
Many students return to school during the Fall, so be prepared to slow down in school zones and stop when a school bus is in front of you, letting children off who need to cross the street. Beware of before and after school hours when inexperienced teenage drivers are likely on the road.
Halloween is also celebrated during Fall! During this time, there are often large groups of people who are traveling by foot and a lot of children dressed in dark clothing and dark-colored costumes that can be difficult to see at night.
Watch Out for Animals and Critters
Auto insurance claims that are related to animal collisions are the most common in November, often due to an increase in deer movement, as this is their mating season. Be alert and aware of your surroundings when you are traveling through rural areas or other locations where deer and other animals could dart out into the street and in front of your vehicle. You should also remember that deer travel in herds, so if you see one, there probably are more nearby.
Keep Up With Standard Vehicle Maintenance
Make sure your vehicle is up-to-date with maintenance and other necessary repairs before traveling. You’ll also want to focus on your car’s tires with the temperature dropping. It’s common for a tire’s pressure to decrease by 1 or 2 pounds per square inch (PSI) for every 10-degree temperature drop. You may need to put air in your tires more often during the Fall. Also, ensure that your vehicle has enough antifreeze, change your oil, and replace your windshield wipers if necessary.
Review Your Auto Insurance Policy
The Fall season is the perfect time to review your auto insurance policy. You should review your insurance policy at least once a year to reevaluate your coverage needs and options. If you reside in an area that has a large deer population, it’s a good idea to make sure you have comprehensive auto insurance. This insurance will pay to repair your vehicle if you collide with an animal, such as a deer.
You may want to consider increasing your liability coverage limits if you live in a city that is prone to large amounts of rainfall, and you’re concerned about your teenage driver being involved in an auto accident.
Practice Safe Driving Habits
Regardless of the time of year, one of the best ways to avoid costly auto accidents is to practice safe driving habits, which means obeying traffic laws. Such traffic laws can include following the speed limit and avoiding distracted driving.
Speaking of distracted driving, when the leaves change colors, it’s beautiful! However, don’t get distracted by admiring the leaves so much that you become a distracted driver. Try to avoid driving through a pile of leaves on the side of the road because children could be playing in them!
Do I Need a Fall Emergency Kit?
Of course! You should keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. During the fall, it’s not uncommon to find yourself stranded on the side of the road after an accident or a breakdown. The following are some of the essentials you’ll want to keep in your emergency kit:
- Spare tire
- Jumper cables
- First aid kit
- Blanket and jackets
- Flashlight and batteries
- Duct tape
- Drinking water and non-perishable foods
- Paper towels
- Tools
- Work gloves
- Rain poncho
- Ice scraper
Fall Safety FAQS
Are Car Accidents More Common During the Fall?
Fall has the second-highest traffic fatality rate of the four seasons, coming second to summer. Always remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Some drivers may not be paying attention for whatever reason, and you need to be able to detect danger before it happens in a sense.
Should I Avoid Driving During the Winter?
We won’t say avoid driving altogether during the winter. However, you should avoid driving in a winter storm, if possible. If you have to drive during the winter, drive slowly and put more distance than normal between your vehicle and other vehicles that may be on the road to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.
Should I Have My Tires Checked If I’m Going On a Road Trip During the Fall?
Yes! Before venturing on your road trip, have your tires checked. Since a tire’s pressure drops quicker when it’s cold outside, make sure your tires are equipped to handle the adventure.
Is It Bad to Drive in Cold Weather?
It’s not necessarily bad to drive in cold weather. However, you must keep in mind that cold weather can worsen your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Key Takeaways for Fall Driving
Fall is one of the seasons with a high rate of fatal auto accidents. Drive slower than you usually would and remain a safe distance from other vehicles when you’re driving in the rain, fog, ice, or darkness.
Make sure you keep an eye out for children near school zones or school buses, and deer on the side of the road or in the road. Fall brings sun glares like you wouldn’t believe! Pack a pair of shades for comfort.
Low tire pressure and beautifully distracting leaves can be a problem during the Fall season. Adapt your driving habits to the changes in weather, and temperature, and always follow safe driving practices.
Review your auto insurance policy during the Fall to ensure you are sufficiently covered in case you are involved in a collision or your vehicle sustains another type of damage.
It’s time for you to get out there and enjoy yourself! Be safe, have fun, and remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Happy driving!