The bright colors of fall are showing up everywhere, along with the cooler temperatures and early morning frosts. Along with fall weather comes seasonal driving hazards like early morning frost, fog, early darkness, and slick road surfaces. This month’s blog looks at common Fall-time road hazards and steps to be better prepared for safety.
Early Morning Frost and Fog:
As the temperatures cool down, there are occasions when we start to see early morning frost. If you have frost on your vehicle windows, it can easily obstruct your visibility. Fog is also more prevalent this time of year as the day and night temperatures create the perfect weather conditions. Fog tends to develop lower on the ground or near bodies of water in early morning and evening hours.
Quick tips:
- Keep an ice scraper in your vehicle with a brush attached on the opposite end.
- Make sure that your defroster is working properly.
- Replace wiper blades on both front and rear windows.
- Check your headlamps or fog lights (if your vehicle has them) to ensure they are working properly.
Slippery Roads:
As road surfaces accumulate fallen leaves, these leaves become very slippery. This is especially true after a rain or some early morning dew settles on the leaves. Also, when driving over bridges on wet roads, remember that bridges tend to freeze before the regular road surface. Having well equipped tires and brakes can increase your safety in these conditions.
Quick tips:
- Check your tire treads for wear and tear; bald tires or damaged treads and sidewalls indicate a need to replace the tire.
- Check tire air pressure and adjust according to the manufacturer recommended inflation for seasonal temperatures.
- Have your brakes serviced for wear and tear on the brake pads and rotors.
Early Evening Darkness:
The time change during the fall season can always create problems for drivers. Make sure to adjust your driving habits and be more vigilant during the time change, as school children and other pedestrians may be out and about.
Quick tips:
- Check your headlamps and brake lights.
- Have your brakes inspected for wear and tear.
- Clean your windows and mirrors with a good glass cleaner of any grime or dirt to increase your visibility.
Fall is a great time to enjoy cooler temperatures, football, and the holidays. Make it a safer driving time of year by making some slight driving adjustments and getting your vehicle prepped for the change of seasons. Give us a call at Geller’s Automotive to schedule general service items or speak with one of our service professionals about your specific vehicle needs.
