For many people, autumn driving conjures up images of winding country roads lined with fall foliage. The reality can be somewhat different as those leaves drop, the fog rolls in and rain starts to fall. Conditions can change quickly in the fall and insurance agents can serve their clients by educating Canadian drivers with safe driving tips. In addition to keeping drivers safe, following road safety rules can keep insurance rates down for all drivers.
Fall weather is often unpredictable and driving conditions can change from perfect to miserable within minutes. Additionally, shorter days mean that many Canadians will soon be commuting to and from work in darkness. Instead of being one of the better times of the year for driving, fall is actually one of the more treacherous times of the year to be driving.
Before starting on any trip, it is always good to give your vehicle a pre-drive inspection. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and show plenty of tread, check to see all lights and turn indicators are working properly and make sure the engine has the correct fluid levels. Clear all windows before you leave the driveway by running the defroster on high or wiping off the glass.
Once out on the road, it is imperative to pay attention to weather and road conditions. Frosty patches, fog, black ice, rain, and falling leaves all present hazards to the unwary.
1. Frost: A shady patch of highway can have less traction than other parts of the road. Combine some frost with a blind corner and the results can be deadly. Use caution if your driving takes you over bridges, down tree-lined roads, or anywhere where shadows cross dew-laden highways. Drive within the posted speed limits, slow down before blind curves, and look well ahead to spot any shaded areas.
2. Fog: Fog is found in low lying areas or in places surrounded by trees, hills or mountains. Fog can limit visibility and change the perception of distance. When encountering fog, slow down. Many crashes happen in fog because the driver was going too fast for conditions and rear-ended the vehicle ahead. Reduce your speed, don’t overdrive your headlights and use extra caution.
3. Black ice: Black ice is caused by moisture freezing on a roadway surface. Usually unseen by drivers, it forms below overpasses, on bridges, in shaded areas and where there is water running across pavement. If you are driving in an area where frost occurs, black ice is always a possibility. If the asphalt looks shiny and black rather than grey or white, use extra caution, reduce your speed and avoid using cruise control.
4. Rain: Early fall storms can often be sudden or include heavy rainfall. During the summer, an accumulation of oil and rubber buildup on roadways could become extremely slick with a heavy rainfall. Slow down in the rain, avoid any hard braking, look well ahead and when approaching a mandatory stop intersection, brake sooner and more smoothly than usual.
5. Fallen leaves: Once leaves become wet, they can present slippery and dangerous driving conditions. Be sure to watch for patches of wet leaves on the road or on road lines. Dry leaves can also present a problem to your vehicle. Avoid parking your vehicle near leaf piles to prevent fires that could start from your vehicle’s catalytic converter.
Also drivers should be reminded that safety starts with them. Drivers should be alert and plan ahead for changing conditions.
1. Stay alert on the road: Shorter days mean reduced visibility on the roads, which can create unfamiliar driving conditions. Use additional caution and adjust their driving habits to watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other roadway users who will be less visible.
2. Avoid sun glare: You may need to adjust to the different morning or late afternoon glare from the sun. The glare can cause reflections off car windows and hoods and decrease your visibility. Have a good pair of sunglasses readily available to counter daytime glare, and consider lenses with anti-reflective coating to reduce glare at night.
3. Plan ahead for wet conditions: Fall often brings rainfall, which can decrease visibility and cause hydroplaning. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition. If driving on a road with excess water, slow down and avoid sudden movements with the steering wheel or brake pedal. In an especially heavy downpour you may want to pull off the road until it’s safe to continue.
4. Use Caution on Bridges: During fall and winter months, bridges can be very dangerous. Bridges are exposed to the elements on both top and bottom, so they will freeze over before the rest of the road. Use caution when transitioning from the pavement to a bridge surface.
5. Nighttime Driving: Make sure your headlights are turned on and clean as the sunlight fades. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance particularly when driving at dusk or at dawn. To get the best visibility, make sure your headlights are properly aimed; this is important so that the lights don’t bother other road users.
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