Fall is just around the corner. As you’re getting ready for hayrides, pumpkin spice lattes, and cozy sweaters, there’s one more area to prep in anticipation of fall: your car! The fall season sees more traffic fatalities than any other season here in the United States. With that in mind, here are three things you can do today to ensure you drive safely this season.
1. Watch Out for Leaves
One of the best things about fall is watching the leaves turn from green to red. And one of the annoying things about fall is stepping over soggy brown leaves on the sidewalk. Leaves start to pile up along curbs, causing drivers to park farther away from the curb to avoid the leaves.
This is dangerous for a few reasons. Parking too far away from the curb can block traffic, causing other roadway users to swerve to get around your vehicle. Parking too far away from the curb can also result in a collision or serious injury when opening the driver’s side door.
The weather will affect your ability to drive safely in the fall. If it’s particularly windy, leaves could blow into your path of travel, or block your vision. On rainy days, soggy leaves on the roadway can cause your vehicle to lose traction and spin out.
Be extra careful when there are leaves near the road. Avoid driving through large piles of leaves; there could be something hidden there that will pop your tires.
2. Check the Condition of Your Tires
Speaking of tires, now is a good time to get your tires checked. As we move from summer to fall, tires will lose pressure in the cooler temperatures. Make sure your tires are properly inflated before you hit the road.
Now, fall isn’t a time we typically associate with snow, but September snow is a reality in some parts of the country. Parts of New England, the Great Lakes, Plains, Rockies, West, and Alaska are areas that may experience early snow at the end of summer and early fall. You may remember the early September week in 2020 where Wyoming got 17 inches of snow, New Mexico recorded the earliest snow in the state in decades, and winter weather alerts in the Northern and Central Rockies affected millions of residents.
It was still summer when these snowstorms happened! If you live in an area that has experienced early snowfall, make sure your tires are prepared by checking the treads and replacing your tires if needed.
3. Don’t Put Away Your Sunglasses!
The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of sun glare. Sun glare is actually worse in the fall than it is in the summer because the sun is lower in the sky during the fall. Sun glare can temporarily blind drivers, making it difficult to see the road and other roadway users.
Make sure you’re wearing sunglasses to help reduce glare. Keep your windows and windshield clean so light isn’t reflecting off the dirt and dust on the glass. Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicles around you, and reduce your speed as necessary.
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