Fall Driving Tips

Fall marks the beginning of festivities, which continues right through winter. It is a pleasant and colorful season, but drivers need to exercise more caution during this time as rain and fog often make roads slippery, while impairing visibility. Falling leaves also lead to slick roads that could cause cars to skid.

Here are a few pointers to remember while driving during fall:

• While driving during evening and night time, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark before hitting the gas pedal.
• Don’t try to show off your driving skills – maintaining a decent speed is a must. Cruise control or overdrive on wet and icy roads is also a strict no-no.
• Ice and snow on the windshield and roof should be scraped off right away so that you have unimpaired vision while driving.
• If you spot leaves on the road, never brake on them as they are extremely slippery. Instead, try to drive slow and avoid braking. Leaves may obscure lane lines and other road markers, so pay attention to the edge of the road and take care to stay in your lane.
• Once the temperature becomes chillier, morning frost forms, which leads to icy patches on bridges, overpasses and shaded spots on the road.
• Sun glare is always considered a driving hazard regardless of the season. Carry a pair of -glare sunglasses during the day time and keep the windshield clean so you can see clearly. It is also advisable to use streets with as much tree cover as possible.
• When it is raining, snowing or stormy, you should use the windshield wipers and keep your headlights on. In some states you could be breaking the law if you don’t follow these rules. During foggy conditions use low beams for headlights and tail lights.
• If you drive when it is raining and there are vehicles in front of you, please maintain a safe distance from them because wet roads are more slippery and hydroplaning could occur in seconds.
• Utilize your hazard and turn signals so that other drivers on the road know about it – it is easier for them to brake.

Your attention should always stay on the road, especially while maneuvering your way in the dark or on slippery roads. Texting or calling someone could cause you to misjudge the distance of a vehicle up ahead or prove to be difficult when it comes to spotting pedestrians crossing the street.  Follow the guidelines and remain safe, while ensuring the same for others too.