Driving in the fall; what you need to know
October 16 2020,
If we prepare mentally for the winter driving that awaits us, we often forget to adapt our driving to the fall, which serves as a bridge between summer and winter. Here are a few tips to avoid being surprised by this beautiful season.
1 - Temperature
In winter, or summer, and even in spring, we don't pay too much attention to temperature changes in anticipation of our driving. In the fall, we need to pay attention because these sudden changes can have an influence on the grip of our car. This is mainly due to the summer tires that are probably still mounted on the car. However, we must also consider the fact that when the road is cold, grip is not as optimal as it is in the summer. Therefore, you should consider reducing your speed.
2 - Dead leaves
While the colorful leaves of trees offer us a breathtaking spectacle in the fall, they can become our worst enemy when they are found in large numbers on the roadway. In fact, with a little rain, it's an explosive cocktail waiting for us while wet leaves on the road are the equivalent of a band of ice in the winter. Be on the lookout.
3 - The animals
It has been proven that wildlife movements are more frequent in the fall. While skunks and squirrels may not be the greatest threat to our safety, deer and moose are. And with less light, you'll move more often in the dark. Keep your eyes open and reduce your speed.
4 - Rain
It is not uncommon to see episodes of heavy rain in the fall, but especially more prolonged periods of rain. Watch carefully for accumulations of water on the road, as well as mud and detritus that may have been carried by water furrows. It only takes a fraction of a second of loss of grip on a road that has turned into a lake to lose control of your vehicle.
5 - Fog
Fog, when it is intense, can become our worst enemy when driving. In the fall, due to sudden changes in temperature, it can appear at any time, especially in the evening and morning. When the sun goes down, it's important to reduce your speed and use fog lights instead of low beams. The latter increase the effect of the fog lights, which is enough to plunge us into "darkness" for a few moments. Be very careful with this semi-transparent enemy.
