Fall Poses Some Unique Driving Hazards

Fall is upon us and that means cooling temperatures, less daylight hours, and leaves on the roads. The weather can also be unpredictable this time of year. Each one of these conditions requires extra vigilance when it comes to safe driving.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared. The best place to start is with a quick driveway inspection. You’ll want to make sure things like your tires are in good condition, fluids are topped up, signal lights and headlights are working, and windshield wipers are functional and provide excellent visibility.

Once on the road, drivers should be aware of the potential hazards they may find. Here’s our list of things to watch for when you’re driving this fall:

1. Visibility is key, especially this time of year. In the morning, make sure all windows are cleared of any frost before getting onto the roads to drive.
2. Remember the roads on bridges freeze before the rest of the road. You also want to be careful of frost that may be on the roads. Take caution when driving down tree-lined streets or anywhere shadows cross dew-laden roadways.
3. Black ice is also a concern this time of year. Because black ice is invisible it’s important to be careful when driving on roads below overpasses, on bridges, in shaded areas and where water runs across the pavement.
4. Fog can be a concern this time of year, especially in low places or in areas surrounded by trees.
5. As the leaves begin to fall and property owners are cleaning their yards, many streets will be covered with leaves. They can be slippery, especially when wet, so hard acceleration, braking or sudden turns should be avoided when driving over leaves.

In addition to taking more care when driving, this time of year is a good time to get your vehicle ready for winter driving. Handling some basic auto maintenance now will go a long way toward making sure a vehicle is safe and dependable for when the temperatures drop and severe winter weather strikes. To schedule fall car care for your vehicle call Shade Tree Garage at 973-540-9880 or click to contact us.