Because of the cooler temperatures, stunning foliage, and excitement for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other winter holidays, many consider fall as one of the best seasons of the year. But when it comes to driving, it’s also one of the riskier times of the year. Here are a few Tennessee driving tips to stay safe this fall:
Look For Changes In The Weather
Fog and the season’s first morning frosts arrive with fall. In the morning, please turn on your headlights, but avoid using high beams because they will reflect off the fog and reduce visibility. As tire pressure decreases in colder weather, check your tires to ensure they are inflated properly.
Be Aware of Light Changes During Fall Days
The sun moves closer to the horizon in the fall, shortening the day and making sunrise and sunset more glaring. The National Safety Council says, “While we do only one-quarter of our driving at night, 50% of traffic deaths happen at night.” Due to the limited visibility in the dark, incidents involving depth perception, peripheral vision, and color recognition occur. Follow these tips for extra safety:
- If the sun’s glare causes reduced visibility, keep a pair of sunglasses in your automobile.
- Maintain a spotless windshield to prevent glare from being caused by dirt streaks.
- Drive with extra caution through communities when it gets dark or early in the morning. It can be challenging to detect people walking dogs or kids playing in the reduced light.
Leaves Can Make Roads Hazardous
Although they are stunning to see, autumn leaves may be hazardous. It’s very important to be cautious when driving on roads covered in leaves.
- Wet leaves can be just as slick to drive on as it is to drive on ice. While wet leaves may be slippery, moist leaves can freeze when temperatures drop.
- Give plenty of distance between yourself and the car in front of you to avoid sudden breaking on a slippery surface.
- Remember while driving that there can often be potholes concealed beneath the leaves.
- Be careful around other vehicles, as some drivers might not be paying attention to the road and may instead be admiring the spectacular fall leaves.
- Never drive through a leaf pile because kids like to hide and jump in them.
Be Alert For People and Deer
Deer breed during the fall. As deer move around searching for partners, you might see them more often. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that November is the month when deer accidents are most likely to occur. As an adult, a deer can weigh 150 and 300 pounds, so hitting one can seriously harm your vehicle and the animal could injure you as well.
Fall can also be one of the the busiest seasons for foot traffic because of school buses, busy school zones, and trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Keep an eye out for places where people can appear out of nowhere, like from behind parked cars or nearby woodlands.
Conclusion
We hope you use these Tennessee driving tips to stay safe this fall. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation. We will be happy to review your case at no cost to you.
Stay safe out there.
Because we care…
