There are obvious driving hazards during the winter months, but what about autumn? Look out for these situations that could lead to an accident.
- Low sun. The sun is still very bright and can be blinding when setting. Keep your windshield clean inside and out, use your sun visor and keep your sunglasses handy.
- Puddles. Sudden heavy rain can leave puddles in unexpected places. Fallen leaves can block drains that prevent water from clearing away. Driving in to deep water too quickly can easily lead to loss of control. Potholes can be hidden by innocent-looking puddles so avoid them if safe to do so or go through puddles slowly.
- Leaves. Autumn means lots of fallen leaves. They can obscure road lines, make the road shoulder hard to see and make braking hazardous because they form a slippery layer on the road when wet. If there are trees, there will be leaves so take care on tree-lined streets and roads.
- Wind. Autumn can have sudden variations in the weather, such as storms and high winds. If you come upon a slow and large truck in windy conditions, you may experience strong side-force from the wind when you emerge from the shelter of the truck.
- Drowsiness. Since autumn days get shorter, more driving will occur when it’s dark out. This can lead to drowsiness, which leads to more accidents.
- School buses. Be aware that school children often stand along roadways to wait for school buses, which make frequent stops. Don’t become impatient and pass a school bus.
For more information on automotive safety, call E. R. Munro and Company at 877-376-8676 or visit our Web site at www.ermunro.com.
