Fall Driving Safety Tips
The Dangers of Leaves on the Roads
When leaves accumulate on the roadway and become wet, they can get extremely slippery, making the driving conditions similar to driving on ice.
- Slow down if you are driving on a road covered with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
- Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
Changing Weather Conditions
In many areas, fall is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night.
- When driving in fog, set your headlights to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
- In the fall as temperatures drop, frost often forms on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
- Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway.
Be Aware of Sun Glare
Fall brings shorter days and daylight saving time, which means you will be driving more when the sun is lower in the sky. This can create an increase in glare from the sun, which makes it more difficult to see pedestrians, vehicle brake lights and road hazards.
- Make sure your vision is as clear as possible by keeping your windshield clean.
- Have a pair of sunglasses handy.
Stay Alert for Deer
Deer are also more active this time of year, especially during dawn and dusk. Follow these tips to stay alert for deer while driving:
- Don’t outdrive the reach of your headlights and pay attention to deer crossing signs.
- Look for deer eye shine.
- Deer are herd animals, so if you see one, be aware that there are probably more.
- Don’t swerve when you see an animal in the road, instead keep your truck straight and brake while staying in control. As sad as it might be, hitting a deer will cause the least damage. If you swerve, you can risk overturning your truck.
For more information contact your Loss Prevention Consultant at 800-252-5059.