Autumn driving and the pitfalls to avoid
October 16 2020,
In the fall, we don't tend to imagine that roads suddenly become more dangerous and risky. However, this is the case under certain circumstances. Here are some pitfalls to avoid in the fall so that you can always arrive safely at your destination.
1 - Temperature changes
In the fall, there are summer, winter and fall days. In other words, the mercury often plays yo-yo. What to watch out for are sudden drops in temperature, because with them comes the possibility of ice patches appearing on the road. This should be watched in the morning and in the evening when the sun drops.
2 - The fog
Temperature changes also tend to create fog patches. While it is relatively easy to navigate through light fog, the operation is otherwise complicated when the fog is opaque. The golden rule here is to be extremely careful when the slightest trace of fog appears. On a winding or mountainous road, one turn may be fog-free while the next may render your visibility nil. Extreme caution.
3 - The leaves
This is probably the best known fact about driving in the fall - the risk associated with a road lined with wet, dead leaves. Simply put, such a road can make you feel like you're driving on an ice rink. It's not fun to drive on winter tires, and you may drive on summer tires, which will only make your situation worse. Be on the lookout.
4 - Brightness
If the amount of light we are entitled to begins to decrease after the summer solstice in June, it is in the fall that the days start to get really "short". The sun rises later and sets earlier, which increases our driving time in the dark. Of course, this implies greater vigilance, but also greater monitoring of the animals that tend to appear on the roads in greater numbers at this time of day, but also at this time of year.
5 - The sun
And speaking of the sun, one thing to really watch out for in the fall; its position in the sky when you're about to hit the road, either in the morning or in the evening. In fact, because of its later rising and earlier departure, it appears more often as an obstacle at times when the roads are crowded. However, driving on packed roads with reduced visibility due to blinding sunlight is a cocktail that can be explosive. Don't forget your sunglasses. And if you can, take the road a little later or a little earlier to avoid this kind of situation.
