Fall Driving Safety Tips
You may not think about it, but fall driving presents more safe driving challenges than winter often does. With winter driving, you mainly have to worry about snow and ice on the roads. It’s static; nothing much changes about that. But during the fall, weather and road conditions are constantly changing, often rapidly from one day to the next. Let’s discuss some of the driving challenges, many unique, to driving during the fall:
Snow and ice — We’ll start with a similarity with winter driving. Below freezing temperatures, ice, and snow are possible in October and November. Those conditions present the same driving challenges and require the same precautions as at any other time.
Frosted windows — Also similar to possible winter issues. You need to scrape that ice off of all window surfaces, same as during the winter. That frost can be even worse during the fall because of the direct sun angles, as discussed next. Direct sun on uncleared frost will blind you and make it impossible to see out the window.
Direct sunlight — The sun is right in your eyes facing east or west during the fall. You have to be extremely careful driving into sunlight that’s directly in front of you. If low direct sunlight’s behind you, make sure to have your headlights on to make you more visible to oncoming drivers who may have difficulty seeing while facing the direct sunlight.
Leaves — Leaves on the road can reduce tire traction, especially when wet. Wet leaves can be as slick as ice. Leaves can also obscure roadway markings.
Shorter, but still warm days — The days are shorter but often still warm enough to have people outside. Dawn and dusk can occur during the usual morning and evening traffic times. Be careful for groups of pedestrians, including children, who are out on a comfortable night but, unlike during the summer, their 6:30 p.m. bike ride occurs as the sun’s setting and visibility is low.
Bridges and overpasses — Same as during the winter, bridge and overpass surfaces freeze more quickly because of cold air passing beneath them, especially if they’re over water.
Rain and fog — Fall can be a time of heavy precipitation, which creates slick roadways and reduces visibility. Fog, and the reduced visibility it causes, too is common in the fall.
School zones — Remember that a stretch of road near a deserted school becomes very different once school starts. Lower speed limits, higher traffic, school buses, crossing guards, and parents and children everywhere.
Deer — For those of you in rural areas, remember that fall is the most common season for vehicle crashes with deer. Deer are very active during the fall because it’s their mating season.
Variable weather and road conditions — We conclude with the cause of most of fall’s driving challenges, varying weather and road conditions. Road conditions never change as much as they do in October and November. You have to be constantly on the lookout for road conditions that change from one day to the next.
Remember that not everyone may take the same fall driving safety precautions that you do,. Be alert for dangerous behavior by other drivers. And don’t hesitate to contact us if you or a loved one are injured in an accident with an unsafe driver.
As always, if you’ve been in a fender bender and would like to speak with an experienced Des Moines car accident lawyer, give me a call. I’m at your service.