When gorgeous leaves begin to fall, they collect on the roadway, become wet and soggy, and can get highly slippery; this can cause driving conditions similar to ice driving. On the rare occasion when the temperatures drop below freezing, wet leaves will also freeze and turn into dangerous slippery leaves on the roadway. Not only does this reduce the car's traction, potentially causing skidding or losing control of your vehicle, leaves often disguise the painted road markings, making it more challenging to know the locations of the lanes.
Here are some tips to increase your safety this fall
Drive slowly if you are driving on a road covered that is with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
Always allow yourself plenty of room to stop in case of an emergency. When you keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you, you keep everyone safer.
A pile of leaves can make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
Children love to jump into piles of leaves. If you see a pile raked on the side of the road, remember that it is an inviting place for a child. A good rule of thumb is to never drive through a leaf pile and use caution going around turns and where children are playing.
Keep your vision clear by keeping your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
You can avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter by never parking your vehicle over a pile of leaves.
Changing Weather Conditions
Autumn is often a damp, wet season with rainy or foggy days and nights. When temperatures change drastically, that frost can coat the ground at night.
If you find yourself driving in fog, set your headlights to low beam for better visibility. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway and allows the light to penetrate.
Light frost can form on the roadway as temperatures drop, causing hazardous driving conditions. You want to drive slowly and also break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
Also, be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway; it appears shiny and is very hazardous.
Less Daylight = More Night Driving
We all know that fall brings fewer hours of daylight. It is more common in the fall to see children outside playing or riding their bicycles. People are out and about walking their dogs, jogging, or taking late afternoon and evening walks. In the fading light, it can be more challenging to see the children and pedestrians.
Keep an eye out for children at their bus stops, both in the morning and as they return home in the afternoon.
We love Halloween; it is a fun fall holiday. Please take special care on October 31st, when children are out trick or treating. They could be wearing masks and costumes that limit their visibility.
Remember always to drive defensively.
Vehicle Maintenance Items
Headlights; cleaning them and ensuring they are in proper working order and pointing in the correct direction is vital.
Change your windshield wiper blades when they are streaking or show any signs of wear.
Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.
Additional Fall Safety Driving Tips
A spare pair of sunglasses in your vehicle is an excellent idea. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant yet hard on your eyes. Also, the bright sun often creates a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway, and the road's shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times increases your chances of seeing a, upcoming hazard.
Are their deer in your neighborhood? They are more likely to run into the roadway, especially at dawn and dusk. Fall is an active breeding time that can cause some flighty behavior. When you see a deer cross the road, proceed very slowly - they often travel in groups.
Safe driving practices are essential throughout the year; however, when you are aware of unique autumn driving hazards, following these fall driving safety tips here will help make you a safer driver.
We hope you've found our fall blog helpful. Walt's Auto Service is the place to be when you need auto repair services and a great auto mechanic you can trust. Bring your car to Walt's when you need a steady hand and straight talk. Just book an appointment or give us a call; we are located at 340 Van Ness Ave Unit A, Torrance, CA 9050.
We look forward to seeing you soon!