Fall is a beautiful season when leaves start turning different shades of red, purple, orange, and yellow. As small as leaves might seem, they can be quite dangerous when they fall to the ground when trees start adjusting to the changing weather conditions.
The roads also become slippery due to constant rain. Even though driving during the fall can be tricky, it is not impossible. You have to be able to go to work. Kids also need to go to school and many other activities that require driving. This article gives you tips on how to drive safely during fall.
Watch Out for the Leaves
This is the time of year when roads are covered with leaves. Road markings are not easy to see like some of the other seasons. If you are not watchful, you might veer off the road or even change lanes without knowing. To avoid this, you need to stay focused on the road. Remove anything that may distract you before you even get behind the wheel.
Wet leaves are also dangerous. They are soft, so when touch water they become slippery. Your car can easily skid off the road during the fall season because leaves are everywhere. To prevent this from happening, you need to slow down. Driving at high speeds can result in serious accidents during this period. If you have to be somewhere early, make a point of starting your journey earlier than usual instead of driving at high speeds.
Another problem associated with leaves during fall is they get lodged in your vehicle’s undercarriage parts. This can result in technical issues that will require a mechanic to fix. To avoid this, drive at a low speed. Even though the leaves will still fly up, the force will not be strong enough to get them stuck in the chassis.
Another safety tip is to avoid parking your car in an area with a pile of leaves. When you start your engine, hot air is released through the exhaust. If there is a pile of dry leaves nearby, you might start a fire without even knowing.
Beware of Darkness
During fall, the sun sets early, meaning visibility will be low. This means you will not be able to see the road as clearly as before. Giving your eyes a minute or two to adjust to the darkness before getting behind the wheel is advisable. Doing so will help you see road signs and markings more clearly.
Be on the Lookout for Icy Roads
The air can be quite chilly at this time of the year, so rainwater can freeze and turn to ice. Ice is dangerous and makes roads very slippery. Driving slowly can help you out, but there are also other safety measures that you can take to guarantee your safety.
You can purchase snow tires (also known as winter tires) and have a mechanic install them for you. This will keep your car steady when driving on icy roads, thus minimizing your chances of skidding. Have your car brakes checked and replaced if necessary. You need to have brakes that work efficiently so you can stop your car when you need to. Make sure your lights are also working so you can see clearly at night and so others can see your vehicle.
Keep a Safe Distance from Other Cars
It is imperative to keep a safe distance from the car ahead of you. This tip will come in handy in case the vehicle ahead of you slides or skids off the road. If you keep a safe driving distance, you will be able to step on your brakes and avoid hitting another car. If you are driving too close to such a car, you might panic and lose control of your car.
Watch Out for Children and Animals
If you live in an area that has a lot of kids or see a signboard that indicates there is a school nearby, you should slow down and watch out for children. Kids might not look or see oncoming vehicles. If you are driving too fast and step on your brakes when you see children crossing the street, your car could skid due to the ice or wet leaves. Such a hasty move could cause you to hit the kids or even those that are playing or standing next to the road. Animals do not also know how to check for oncoming traffic, so you need to be careful driving, especially in areas that have deer.
One of the most important fall driving safety tips is making sure that you car is functioning safely and efficiently. Every part of your car should work as expected to help to minimize the chances of a mechanical problem that may cause an accident.
