Autumn is a beautiful season in Connecticut. The leaves start to turn, the late-season crops come in and the air is crisp and fresh.
Driving in the fall can be a far more pleasant experience than driving in the scorching heat of the summer. Some people even go out driving more frequently so that they can enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.
Before you go on a fall color tour with your family or take a drive out to pick some pumpkins, it’s important that you remind yourself about the unique seasonal risks that come with autumn weather. What should you watch out for as the cooler seasons start?
Increased precipitation
Autumn may not be the wettest season of the year, but there will often be more rainfall than there is at the peak of the summer seasons. More rainfall means wet road surfaces. On cold mornings in late fall, there could even be frost or ice on the roads.
Making sure your vehicle has good tires now will protect you in the fall and in the winter when snow in ice really start to take over the streets. Slower driving can also help you stay safer, especially during your morning commute.
Those colorful leaves
The very same leaves that draw your attention to the scenery and make the countryside seem magical during the fall also create a lot of risk for people on the road. Leaves can cause your vehicle to lose traction, possibly leading to a crash. They can also cover up hazards in the road, ranging from deep potholes to broken glass that could pop a tire or otherwise damage your vehicle.
Earlier sunsets and lower light levels
It is more dangerous to drive after dark and during transitional times of day than when the sun is overhead. As days grow shorter, twilight will start earlier in the day, eventually during rush hour after work.
Lower light levels can affect your perception while driving and increase the risk of a crash. It’s also worth noting that the angle of the sun’s approach may be different, making that golden fall sunlight a little more distracting when you drive.
Other concerns might include Halloween decorations blowing into the street (or possibly covering your windshield suddenly) and trick-or-treaters running out into the road when Halloween finally arrives. Identifying and preparing for the unique driving risks of the autumn season can help you avoid getting into a motor vehicle collision.