CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Icy roads aren’t the only challenges drivers face during the fall season; there are plenty of safety hazards. Here are some tips to help protect you and your family as daylight diminishes earlier in the day.
Beware of leaf piles
Falling leaves can create hazards for your vehicle. They can clog air vents and windshield wipers and obstruct ventilation systems and radiators, which can affect how your car functions. Always remove leaves from your vehicle—by hand or with a blower—before you start driving. Make sure you clear any leaves underneath the hood. Wet leaves can accumulate and produce moldy, rancid-smelling water. Drivers should try not to park under trees whenever possible.
Be alert on slippery roads
Wet leaves can be just as slippery as ice. Slow down when driving over leaves and leave space between you and the car in front of you. Give pedestrians and bicyclists extra room on the road. If you do hydroplane on wet leaves, don’t panic or slam on your brakes. Steer in the direction you want to go and release the gas pedal. Make sure your tires are inspected and properly inflated the recommended amount.
Beware of potholes, hidden children and animals, and debris
When leaves cover the road, it’s hard to spot potholes, road debris, curbs, and lane lines. Never drive over a large pile of leaves where children and animals might be playing or hiding.
Prepare for earlier sunsets
More than 50% of traffic deaths occur at night, and ineffective headlights are often the culprit. Make sure your headlights work and are on to help other motorists see you. Use your high beams provided there are no cars in front of you or oncoming traffic and keep several car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
Expect more fog as cooler temps arrive
As the temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier, overall visibility may diminish. When driving in fog, drive more slowly. Turn on your low-beam headlights. Possibly wear sunglasses and use your vehicle’s visors for glare. Use your defroster or open your windows slightly to equalize the temperature and humidity or minimize fog. Keep a clean windshield, inside and out.
Fall is prime deer season
In November, insurance claims related to cars hitting deer are 3.5 times more likely than any other month. Smaller animals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, gather food near the roads in the fall in preparation for winter, so watch for them as well. Keep an eye out for deer-crossing signs. If you encounter a deer, don’t swerve, but brake firmly and stay in your lane. Swerving can force you off the road or into the path of oncoming traffic. Your auto insurance often pays for vehicle damage caused by animal collisions if you carry comprehensive coverage. Liability-only insurance will not likely be covered for animal-related strikes.
School buses have their own legal rules
Each state has strict school bus laws, such as violations with rolling stops or passing a bus while the stop sign is extended. Infractions can result in hefty fines and even license suspension. Many buses have cameras to record and ticket motorists who pass the buses while the stop arm is out. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop for students to get on or off. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Stop your vehicle no closer than twenty feet from the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and no children are in the street before proceeding.
Most school buses must stop at railroad crossings, open the doors, and listen for oncoming trains before proceeding over tracks. If following behind a bus, be prepared to stop as they approach the tracks. Beware of blind spots on buses. A bus has several spots around it where students can’t see approaching vehicles, they can’t see the students. Reverse carefully, as backup cameras don’t show entire surroundings.
Tractors and combines need drivers to be patient in harvest season
As for agriculture, harvesting combines, trailers and tractors travel at slow speeds and are often involved in crashes due to the impatience of drivers around them. Remember that equipment does not travel long distances and will likely be out of your way shortly. Do not cross on a double-yellow line and do not cross on a hill or around a curve. Farm equipment operators are not required to pull over on the side of the road to allow traffic to pass, and they have limited visibility.