Winter and summer receive the most attention when it comes to poor driving
conditions—between blizzards and intense thunderstorms, these seasons
can spring inclement weather on drivers almost out of nowhere. But with
fall creeping up on us, we'd be remiss to exclude its own unique roadway
challenges. Let's take a look at what makes fall driving so dangerous,
and how to avoid accidents as the seasons change once again. Leaves Nothing
says 'fall' like piles of leaves swirling in the wind. But many
times those leaves settle and pile up on roadways, which can cause issues
for drivers. Leaves obscure road lines, potholes and other more dangerous
debris. And of course, leaves don't play nice with water—hitting
a patch of wet leaves on your drive can be just as dangerous as running
into a patch of ice. Always slow down when approaching covered roadways—it's
sometimes impossible to tell what lies ahead. Rain Rain doesn't just
present an issue when mixed with leaves. Rain during the fall is often
less intense than the summer. Whereas heavy rain can more quickly wash
away oil and dust, light fall rain tends to mix with oil on the road's
surface, creating slick driving conditions. Fog Fog is a frequent problem
during fall, especially in the morning, and even more so in low-lying
areas surrounded by hills, water, or trees. Fog density can vary, even
in the same patch—you could quickly find yourself unable to see
more than a few feet in front of your vehicle. Always slow down when entering
fog, and never use your high beams. High beams reflect off the fog, reducing
visibility even more. Frost With the temperature fluctuating throughout
the day, mornings and evenings can see frost buildup on roadways—especially
on bridges and in shaded areas. Deer Fall is also deer season, when the
animals mate and migrate most frequently. Deer are easily 'frozen'
by incoming headlights, making them difficult to avoid on rural (and even
suburban) roadways. Deer also rarely travel alone, and just because you
see one animal dart across the road doesn't mean it's entirely
safe. There are probably more waiting just out of sight, so proceed with
caution. Back-to-School Traffic While not unique to fall, traffic associated
with schools—from buses to parents—makes its reappearance
this time of year after a summertime absence. That also means more foot
traffic, too—always be on the lookout for children and parents walking
to and from school. All-Season Driving Each season presents its own challenges
on the road. But being prepared before you head out is the best way to
protect yourself and others from danger on the road. From thunderstorms
to leaves to icy roads, stay alert, stay smart and stay safe out there.
#falldrivingdangers
Winter and summer receive the most attention when it comes to poor driving
conditions—between blizzards and intense thunderstorms, these seasons
can spring inclement weather on drivers almost out of nowhere. But with
fall creeping up on us, we'd be remiss to exclude its own unique roadway
challenges. Let's take a look at what makes fall driving so dangerous,
and how to avoid accidents as the seasons change once again. Leaves Nothing
says 'fall' like piles of leaves swirling in the wind. But many
times those leaves settle and pile up on roadways, which can cause issues
for drivers. Leaves obscure road lines, potholes and other more dangerous
debris. And of course, leaves don't play nice with water—hitting
a patch of wet leaves on your drive can be just as dangerous as running
into a patch of ice. Always slow down when approaching covered roadways—it's
sometimes impossible to tell what lies ahead. Rain Rain doesn't just
present an issue when mixed with leaves. Rain during the fall is often
less intense than the summer. Whereas heavy rain can more quickly wash
away oil and dust, light fall rain tends to mix with oil on the road's
surface, creating slick driving conditions. Fog Fog is a frequent problem
during fall, especially in the morning, and even more so in low-lying
areas surrounded by hills, water, or trees. Fog density can vary, even
in the same patch—you could quickly find yourself unable to see
more than a few feet in front of your vehicle. Always slow down when entering
fog, and never use your high beams. High beams reflect off the fog, reducing
visibility even more. Frost With the temperature fluctuating throughout
the day, mornings and evenings can see frost buildup on roadways—especially
on bridges and in shaded areas. Deer Fall is also deer season, when the
animals mate and migrate most frequently. Deer are easily 'frozen'
by incoming headlights, making them difficult to avoid on rural (and even
suburban) roadways. Deer also rarely travel alone, and just because you
see one animal dart across the road doesn't mean it's entirely
safe. There are probably more waiting just out of sight, so proceed with
caution. Back-to-School Traffic While not unique to fall, traffic associated
with schools—from buses to parents—makes its reappearance
this time of year after a summertime absence. That also means more foot
traffic, too—always be on the lookout for children and parents walking
to and from school. All-Season Driving Each season presents its own challenges
on the road. But being prepared before you head out is the best way to
protect yourself and others from danger on the road. From thunderstorms
to leaves to icy roads, stay alert, stay smart and stay safe out there.
#falldrivingdangers