Fall driving hazards to beware of this season

Changing your driving habits when seasons change can be wise, whether you commute across the border for work or drive mostly around town running errands. As such, now is an excellent time to familiarize yourself with autumn driving hazards and take precautions to avoid them.

Changes in visibility

This time of year, it is getting darker earlier and earlier. Further, drivers can deal with fog, rain, sleet and snow, which can also compromise visibility. 

With all this in mind, it is crucial to be sure you check the lights on your vehicle. Do they work? How is your own vision? Do you struggle with glare or night blindness? Attending to these visibility issues can help you see the road – and potential hazards – more clearly.

Slick roads

Wet, icy roads are slippery. And falling leaves can clog storm drains, conceal curbs and cover the road, reducing traction.

To minimize crashes on slick roads, slow down and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles. You can also check your tires to ensure they are in good shape. You might also want to avoid driving during bad weather and consider altering your route if the roads you usually drive on are not clear.

Animal crossings

Sources report that nearly 10,000 wildlife collisions happen every year in BC. Drivers can be at an increased risk of hitting animals as large as deer, elk and bears. Smaller animals like raccoons can also cause crashes.

Hitting these animals or swerving to try and avoid hitting them can cause considerable property damage and physical and emotional injuries that parties can experience in a collision.

While you cannot control wildlife, you can be mindful of driving in areas with increased animal activity. If you do see an animal in the road, slow down, but try not to swerve out of the way. This action can ultimately cause more damage.

Some things never change

Unfortunately, not everyone will take these same precautions. And no matter what time of year it is, we can find ourselves sharing the road with reckless, negligent drivers. One thing that will not change is that you can hold these parties accountable if they endanger you by causing an accident.