Fall Driving Tips

Fall is here...soon the leaves will begin changing and the cool, crisp air will roll in. It's also a busy time for our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership! While selling new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles here at Ray Catena of Union, we like to remind our customers about safe driving. Fall doesn't seem like a time to take extra precaution when driving, but it's easy to forget about wet leaves and frosty mornings when summer's heat is still lingering! Read this article for some reminders about fall driving safety.

Source: TeensDriveSmart.com

As the Leaves Change so do the Driving Conditions

American landscape painter and author, Eric Sloane once said, ”I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made.” Many can relate to Sloan’s musings about the fall, yet the season brings new hazards to watch out for when driving.

Check out our tips on how to drive safely during the autumn months.

Make Like a Tree and… Watch Out for Leaves

During the fall, leaves will collect on the roadway and possibly become wet. This can make the road slippery and decrease your tires’ traction. Also, when the crisp fall temperatures dip below freezing, wet leaves freeze and mimic dangerous icy roads.

Leaves can also cover painted road markings, making it hard to detect lanes, as well as potholes and bumps in the road. Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades. Also, in order to avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter, never park your vehicle over a pile of leaves.

The Frost

In many areas, autumn is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night, causing hazardous driving conditions in the early morning. Remember to drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.

Left in the Fog

When driving in fog, high beams will reflect off the fog, creating a "white wall" effect, so set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway. Also reduce your speed and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. If fog becomes really thick use your road markers to guide you and help you to stay in your lane.

Daylight Savings

In the fall, although it becomes darker earlier, in the fading light of dusk it is difficult to see children and pedestrians, be sure to adjust your speed especially in residential areas.

Autumn Sunrise

Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant. The bright sun often creates a large glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road’s shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times reduces the danger.

Be a Dear and Watch out for Deer

If you live in an area where there are deer, they are more apt to run into the roadway especially at dawn and dusk since the fall is an active breeding time. If you see a deer cross the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups. You can not only harm the deer but do great damage to your car as well.

Source: TeensDriveSmart.com

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