Fall Driving Safety Tips

Now that Fall has officially arrived, Younger Nissan of Frederick would like to remind all of our customers from Frederick, Germantown, Hagerstown, and Gaithersburg, MD to take extra care during the change of season. The new season means new road conditions, as well as changes in daylight, temperature, and so much more. So while you are enjoying all of the fun aspects of Fall including pumpkin and apple picking, Halloween, and cider, keep these seven driving tips in mind to make sure that you make your way to every hayride and pumpkin patch safely.

1.) Get Your Vehicle Ready – Have all of the different crucial parts of your vehicle checked out at the start of the new season. The change in temperature can impact your vehicle especially since it has been used to the warmer conditions. Have a look through all of the systems but especially check out the heating system, windshield wipers, brakes, engine, battery, and tires.

2.) Use Your Rain Smarts – While driving in the rain may not be a new experience you can expect it to happen a bit  more often over the next several weeks. As the temperature gets colder and the moisture in the air increases rainfall will increase as well as foggy conditions. Remember to slow down your speed, especially in heavy rain to avoid hydroplaning and use your low beams in fog, not your high beams.

3.) Adjust Your Eyes – We will lose about one to two minutes of sunlight per day according to the national Weather Service. Therefore, you will need to keep in mind that your evening commute which has been in full daylight for months will be changing to sunset, dusk, and eventually dark. Once it is completely dark when you leave work make sure that you allow your eyes to adjust to the dark before you start your drive since you have just spent all day in a lit office.

4.) Avoid The Glare of the Sun – Going along the same lines as the previous tip, before it does becomes completely dark after work you will be leaving with the sun lower in the sky which means that the glare of the sunset will be much more prevalent. Be sure to keep this in mind as you head off on your way home at the end of the day.

5.) Look Out For Deer – Have you ever noticed how much more deer you see out and about during this time of year? Well, the reason for that is,  Autumn is their mating season so they are going to be just about everywhere. So make sure to keep your eyes peeled for them darting into the road especially if your drive near or through a wooded area.

6.) No Braking On Leaves – The abundance of multi-colored leaves that cover the trees, and eventually the roads, are beautiful to look at but can be dangerous for drivers. When leaves get wet they become slippery and create road conditions that are similar to driving on ice. Try and avoid patches of leaves in the road whenever possible and make sure you do not brake on them as the slipperiness could cause you to slide.

7.) Driver Carefully on Bridges – Icy patches tend to form more quickly on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas as the temperature cools, especially during the morning frost. Be extra cautious when driving around these areas.

“7 Fall Driving Safety Tips.” N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.safebee.com%2Ftravel%2F7-fall-driving-safety-tips>.
 

Tags: Driving Safety Frederick MD, Driving Safety Gaithersburg MD, Driving Safety Germantown MD, Driving Safety Hagerstown MD
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