Being a safe driver is a rule to follow throughout the year. However, it is perhaps even more important for people who live in places where the seasons change drastically. Even though fall may seem perfectly safe, unlike rainy or snowy seasons, there are unique challenges of its own. You should be ready for the hazards of every season and learn to combat them.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another party, you may be able to get compensation. An attorney can prove that you are entitled to damages by establishing the other party’s liability. Even if the accident was caused due to bad weather, the other driver should have been vigilant and taken steps to prevent it. To learn more about your rights, contact an attorney.
Unique road risks during the fall season
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Rain and wet surfaces.
Trees and the color of the leaves change during the fall season, and everyone loves the environment. While nature does look beautiful, it can prove hazardous as well. Leaves fall from trees and create piles on the roadway. A road with wet leaves is as dangerous as an icy road. The rain and wet leaves on the road’s surface do not allow your car’s tires to grip the pavement as necessary and increase the risk of an accident.
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Deer collisions.
One common occurrence during fall, especially if you live near the countryside and forest areas, is deer appearance on the road. Always pay attention on the road for animals while driving, especially at night. Keep your headlights on to spot an animal quickly. Reports say you are 3.5 times more likely to hit a deer during the fall season than any other time of the year.
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Kids.
Fall is the back-to-school season. While you may be familiar with the traffic, small children are not. More children occupy the streets in the morning. New and inexperienced teenage drivers who have just got their licenses frequent the roads. Slow down when driving around a school zone, but also keep an eye out for new drivers picking up their friends or siblings for school. In many places, there are designated speed limits near school areas.
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Earlier sunsets.
The days become shorter, and the nights become longer as the fall season approaches. Thus, drivers get shorter days and experience dusky and nighttime driving more. The decreased visibility can increase your risk of an accident, perhaps a collision with an animal. It is important to check your headlights and backlights and keep them on at all times while driving at night and in areas lacking street lighting.
