Posted In Health Tips on November 08, 2022
Fall brings its own set of hazards that require special attention to avoid personal injury or property damage. Fall driving means being prepared for the unexpected, avoiding distracted driving, and allowing more travel time for clearing windshields, slowing down in fog or slippery conditions, and watching out for others. Below, we review common fall driving hazards and ways to avoid them:
Sun glare
The sun can be a major safety issue in the fall as both sunrise and sunset occur during the hours of heaviest commuting traffic. Because the sun angle is lower in the fall, the first half hour after sunrise and before sunset is prone to sun glare. This can make it harder to see traffic lights, stop signs, other traffic, pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists.
To help avoid sun glare, use your sun visor, wear sunglasses, make sure your windshield is clean, and avoid driving on east and west-bound roads during these times.
Less daylight & night driving
During the fall, the length of daylight shortens, especially after Daylight Savings Time ends. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most fatal accidents involving children take place between 3 and 9 pm, a time when school children are traveling home or to/from extracurricular activities, commuters are getting out of work, and visibility decreases as dusk turns to darkness.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC):
- The risk of a fatal crash is 3 times greater at night.
- Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision can be compromised in the dark.
- Lower light also affects a driver’s ability to judge speed and distance.
- The glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle can temporarily blind a driver.
As it starts getting dark, be sure to drive slower, increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle(s) ahead of you, and be on the lookout for pedestrians who will be harder to see, especially if they are wearing dark clothing. It’s also a good idea to turn on your headlights at dusk (if they don't turn on automatically) so other drivers and pedestrians are aware of your vehicle. If oncoming headlights blind you, momentarily look down at the road lines so you are not looking directly at the headlights.
Deer collisions
Deer are more active from dusk until sunrise especially in the fall due to mating and migration season. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says drivers are 3.5 times more likely to hit an animal, especially a deer, in November than any other time of year. PETA says about 1 of every 100 drivers will hit a deer during their lifetime.
To reduce your risk of hitting a deer, be especially careful near fields and wooded areas. If you see a deer at the edge of the road, slow down and expect it to bolt across the road. Also anticipate other deer will follow it, since deer tend to travel in groups.
Leaves
Leaves can appear dry but can be wet underneath, which can cause you to lose traction. Leaves can block storm drains and cause ponding which can cause a loss of steering control if you hit wet patches of road too fast and hydroplane. They can also cover traffic lines, potholes and curbs, thus reducing your ability to avoid obstacles, stay in the correct lane (especially at intersections), or properly park near curbs.
Leaves can reduce visibility if not removed from the windshield before driving. Leaves accumulated in the air vents near the wipers can reduce your vehicle’s ability to clear condensation on the inside of the windshield. Finally, make sure not to park your vehicle over a pile of dry leaves as the exhaust system or catalytic converter could start a fire.
Fog
With warmer temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night, fog can form in the morning and be unexpectedly dense in areas. Fog can reduce your driving vision, depth perception, and your stopping distance.
With reduced visibility, use side and center road markings to stay on the road in your lane, slow down and increase the distance from the vehicle in front of you. Make sure to only use low beams in fog, and if it gets too thick, find a safe place to pull off the road until it's lifted.
Frost
When overnight temperatures fall, the roads may be frosted over and slippery in the morning, increasing the risk of an accident. When temperatures are below freezing, watch out for black ice on roads that otherwise may appear dry. Be aware that bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first or may have frost and will act like driving on ice.
Also, be sure to clear all frost off the vehicle’s windshield, rear window, side windows, and mirrors before driving to allow the maximum visibility of other vehicles, pedestrians, and road hazards.