Tips on How to Drive Safely in the Fall
In partnership with Otogo.ca
Fall is the season of change, and not just for the weather. Motorists must also adapt their behaviour in order to stay safe on the road. With the temperatures dropping and the roads getting more slippery - beware of the dead leaves -, an accident can happen very quickly!
As winter creeps in, it's time to start keeping a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in order to have more time to react if necessary.
Also think about visibility. As the days are getting shorter, drivers have to venture on the road with much less visibility in the morning and late in the day. The time change is also critical; daylight saving time ends on November 7th, it’s something to keep in mind!
Also, no matter the season, it's always good to make sure your headlights are working well and properly cleaned, and remember to activate them sooner rather than later. Even better, put them in automatic mode if your vehicle is equipped with such a feature.
With the temperatures getting colder, it is more frequent to spot wildlife on the road. As the Quebec Ministry of Transport reminds us, the months of October and November are the most dangerous months for collisions with large animals on the roads, as hunting disrupts their movements. Watch out for deer more especially, as their rutting season peaks during the last two weeks of November.
The best prevention is to be well rested and alert when driving, so that you can react quickly in the event of an emergency or unforeseen situation. Obey speed limits and pay attention to road signs indicating the presence of wildlife, which will increase your reaction time. Obviously, if you’re driving through fog or any visibility-reducing condition, you must slow down.
When encountering an animal on the road, try to honk to scare it away. Do not make sudden maneuvers around it, otherwise you could end up in a ditch or collide with an oncoming vehicle. Sometimes it's better to hit the animal than risk hurting yourself or someone else.
Be careful and stay safe on the roads this fall!
