falldriving With the fall season approaching, driving conditions are changing as well. With fall comes different weather conditions, decreasing light, and increased moisture. Following these five driving tips below will help you stay safe this fall. Leaves As the leaves begin to change, they start to fall shortly after. Leaves are generally not the problem, but when they become wet, they can be potentially hazardous. Driving fast and braking quickly on wet leaves could cause your vehicle to spin out of control and get in an accident. The best way to be safe while driving on wet leaves is to treat leaves like ice: brake slowly and no excessive speeds. Rain, Ice, and Fog Depending on where you live, rain and ice may be more or less of a problem. Wet days could lead to icy road conditions at night if the temperature falls below freezing. This is especially true in mountainous areas where snow could also accumulate. It helps if you drive more slowly and you have the appropriate tires on your vehicle. All-terrain or snow tires will help your vehicle grip the road better in these conditions. In coastal areas, fog can begin to increase as fall begins. Many areas around the world experience fog from time to time, but coastal towns and villages experience dense fog that can be blinding. The fog is often so thick that you won’t be able to see the lights of the vehicle in front of you. In cases like this, there are many collisions and vehicles that drive off of the road due to heavy fog conditions. If the fog in your area is especially heavy, it’s best to stay in if you can, otherwise drive extremely slowly and be cautious of other drivers who may be unaware of your presence. Wildlife The decreasing daylight hours that happen during the fall could lead to unexpected surprises from wildlife on the road. As darkness approaches earlier in the evening, deer and other animals have a tendency to be more active. You’ll need to be observant of the roadside while driving in forested areas if deer and other wildlife are known to be found in your area. Always drive slowly to avoid an unnecessary collision with an animal that suddenly emerges from the trees. Get Your Vehicle Checked If you break down or have problems with your vehicle in the summer, it’s more frustrating than anything. In the fall and winter, it could be more serious as the weather becomes chillier. If you live in an isolated area away from town, a broken down vehicle in the middle of the night is dangerous if the temperature is below freezing and you have no cell service. A quick check-up with your trusted auto mechanic can help ease any fears prior to the changing seasons. Increased Traffic When school starts back up in the fall, parents begin to drive their kids to school in the mornings, there’s an increase in bus traffic, and in college towns new students could cause more traffic jams and accidents due to their lack of knowledge of the area. If the roads you usually drive become more crowded in the fall, then you may need to find alternative routes or plan your day better to avoid delays and accidents. Even if you follow all of the tips above, accidents do happen. If you get in an accident, Cascade Collision Repair is a great choice to get you back on the road quickly. Remember to always be safe and plan ahead for accidents no matter how confident you are in your driving abilities.