Autumnal Road Conditions to Be Aware Of

If you’re driving during the latter half of the year, then it’s important to be aware of autumn road conditions. Certain issues, dangers, and hazards on the road can be treacherous for drivers of every type of vehicle.

That’s why we’re offering these tips on autumn road dangers to ensure that you can always stay safe when driving your vehicle.

Things to Look Out for in Autumn

Wet Weather

First, you need to think about the issue of wet weather. One of the best autumn driving tips is to make sure that you are keeping a good distance between other cars and vehicles on the road. Do be aware that if the road is wet, then it could double your stopping distance.

So, providing drivers with plenty of room is certainly preferred, particularly if it’s dark. You also need to make sure that your tyres are in the right condition before you head out on the road. It’s important to ensure that you have as much grip as possible. Don’t forget to avoid puddles too. It’s difficult to know how deep they are, and they could cause the vehicle to aqua plane or flood your engine.

Dazzle

Dazzle is another issue during autumn because the mornings are darker as are the evenings. Due to this, dazzle occurs when the headlights of another car blind you temporarily. While a driver should quickly notice that they have their brights on, a couple of seconds could still be enough for you to make a mistake. When you are driving at night or in the dark, it’s important to train yourself not to look directly at the lights. Instead, you should focus on the road ahead. This will reduce the impact, particular on long drives.

Wet Leaves

Wet leaves are another problem that can make the road more dangerous during autumn. As the leaves fall from the trees they can end up on the road, creating a slippery mush. Similar to puddles, it’s best to avoid driving across large clumps of leaves if you can. This is one of the autumn road conditions that people tend to overlook completely. But when you’re driving in the autumn months, it can be enough to cause an accident. Leaves should also be removed from the top of your vehicle, so they don’t fall onto your windscreen while you are driving.

Dark Conditions

As mentioned, it’s more likely that you’ll be driving in dark conditions during the autumn season; this is going to impact levels of visibility. It’s important to make sure that you are checking that your lights are working correctly. You should also be aiming to look further ahead on the road than usual to ensure that you are identifying any hazards quickly. This will give you more time to avoid an accident. Dark conditions are also why it’s important to get a good night’s sleep before you head out as the darkness will only make you more tired.

Chilly Mornings

Chilly mornings will mean frost and potentially ice on the roads. Many vehicles now have ice warning systems that will alert you if the temperature is cold enough to expect ice. What should you be aware of when driving in cold conditions? The greatest issue here is black ice. Black ice is virtually invisible, and you’ll only often notice it at the last minute. That’s why you need to take extra care when driving during this time of the year.

Fog

Fog is common during the autumn season. It’s just one more issue that will negatively impact visibility. Fog lights are effective for ensuring that you can still see clearly. You just need to make sure that you check these lights are working on your vehicle. If it is foggy, you should always drive slowly and again, ensuring that there is plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Animals

Since autumn road conditions mean darker mornings and afternoons, it’s more difficult to see animals on the road. However, if you look far enough ahead and keep an eye out for moving cats’ eyes at the side of the road, you should be able to stop in time.

Issues With Wiper Blades

Finally, it’s important to ensure that your wiper blades are in good working order when dealing with autumn road conditions. This will help ensure that you can deal with rain, snow, and any other autumn road dangers relating to weather. Additionally, always remember to keep your screen wash tank filled up so your windows will stay clean and avoid smearing.

We hope this autumn driving advice helps you stay safe in your vehicle. At Portman Logistics, we always make sure our drivers are safe on the roads. Get in touch with us today to find out more or to ask any questions about what we can do for you.