Travel safely this autumn
By Dr Will Murray, Interactive Driving Systems
AS THE nights draw in, the onset of autumn presents many road user hazards.
As the days get shorter, the collision rate soars. This is caused by driving too close on wet roads, poor concentration, leaves on the road and fog-hampered visibility. Darker mornings and nights and low sun all bring risks.
Autumn leaves are beautiful, but once on the road, particularly when wet or frost covered, they present driving hazards unique to the season.
A single layer of wet leaves can make braking, steering and stopping difficult. This is particularly dangerous at junctions and downhill stop signs. Acceleration can be affected, too. Even when dry, leaves present a challenge - obscuring potholes, curbs and road markings.
Cooler weather makes tyre rubber harder. This change reduces grip, affecting your cornering and braking ability.
On cool, clear mornings, frost may linger on roads in shaded areas or particularly on bridges. Be aware that your tyre grip on the road can change suddenly in these conditions.
Managing and avoiding autumn driving risks
Plan your workload to minimise the need to use the road. This can be through conference calls, video conferencing, other forms of transport and better journey scheduling. Wherever possible, it is best to choose the safest and most environmentally sustainable starting point.
But, of course, there will be times when you need to jump in your business car. So here are our top 10 good practice autumn driving tips.
Driving tips for autumn
1. Have your vehicle, including tyres, brakes, wipers and windscreen fluid checked.
2. Reduce your speed, stay further back from the vehicle in front, drive defensively and allow yourself and others around you more time to react. Your vehicle will take much longer to stop on a wet surface, particularly if covered with leaves.
3. Slow earlier for junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights, so you don't have to brake or corner so hard.
4. Adapt your driving speed to visibility.
5. At sunset or sunrise beware of dazzle from low sun. Ensure that you keep your windscreen clean and free from smears. If driving into the sun be aware that drivers behind may be dazzled and may not see you if you stop. If the sun is low behind you, be aware that oncoming drivers may be dazzled.
6. Use dimmed or dipped headlights as soon as you notice a reduction in visibility. If vehicles approaching in the opposite lane have their lights on, it probably means that you should, too, as visibility ahead is poor.
7. Only use foglights in extreme conditions – fog – when the vehicles in front become difficult to see and always remember to switch them off when conditions improve.
8. If your vehicle is older and not equipped with ABS brakes, should the wheels lock, release the brake briefly so that you can steer. With ABS you can ‘stomp and steer’ – keep your foot on the brake and steer.
9. Take regular breaks, even if you're in a hurry. It will help you concentrate better, especially when doing long hauls in poor or foggy conditions.
10. Finally, watch out for children walking and cycling to and from school. Many schools have dark coloured uniforms, making children difficult to spot.
Further information
International Driving systems used the following sources:
TAGS: driving tips, Interactive Driving Systems, Dr Will Murray, autumn driving
