Drive Safer This Autumn - Top Safety Tips
Table of Contents
Prepare for driving in colder weather
With beautifully coloured leaves also come extra risks - from icy roads to low lying sun. Read our tips on how to drive in more difficult conditions.
Slippery roads
While leaves might be beautiful, when wet, they can make the road slippery. Plus, they may obstruct road markings and any potholes. It’s best to drive slowly when seeing lots of leaves on the ground.
Frost can also make the road icy in some places, especially across bridges and in shade. Reduce your speed especially in the early hours of the morning.
If you get lots of snow and ice where you live, it might be a good idea to change into winter tyres. These helps improve grip and control, avoiding accidents.
Driving in the dark
When the nights start getting longer, it is crucial that your car headlights work. Sometimes the heat of the summer may damage the bulb. It’s a good idea to get your headlamps changed to see properly.
Before setting off, make sure you know how to turn your full beam on and off. This helps you see clearer and further, reducing risk of accidents. However, make sure to turn the full beam off when you see another car approaching, to avoid from dazzling them.
Low lying sun
You should be aware of the low sun in autumn, which can blind you when driving. We recommend having sunglasses easily accessible. You can also quickly pull the sun visor down if the sun isn’t too low. This is especially important early in the morning and afternoon.
Foggy or misty weather
When the weather is foggy, the visibility is poorer. We generally encourage not to drive in misty weather, but sometimes it cannot be helped.
Firstly, you should drive slowly, as you cannot see as far as usual. You should also turn your fog lights on. Make sure not to turn the full beam on though, as you don’t want to dazzle other motorists.
Ensure there’s extra distance between yourself and the car in front of you to avoid accidents. This provides you more time to react. In junctions, roll your window down to listen other cars so you can be sure it’s safe to pull out.
When it’s misty, you might also come across black ice. This ice is very difficult to see, posing a serious danger.
Heavy rain and floods
The main thing when driving in heavy rain is to slow down. This allows you more time to spot large puddles and standing water. These may hide a pothole, resulting in damage to your car.
Be also aware that waves from approaching vehicles can submerge your car deeper in the water. Make sure not to cross deep water.
In your engine cuts out when driving through deep water, turn your hazard lights on and call for assistance. Do not attempt to restart the engine, as this may result in damage.
High winds
If you must drive in high wind, hold your steering wheel tightly. You should be ready for sudden gusts of wind, especially if you are in an open area. These include fields and bridges.
If the wind is blowing hard, you should also be cautious of any debris coming into your path. Get ready to correct your course and avoid any clutter that might damage your vehicle.
Prepare for driving in colder weather
With our brief list of tips to keep you safe, you are sure to enjoy driving in autumn more. We recommend that you:
- Check your car’s tyres and windscreen wipers
- Top up all the fluids, including oil, antifreeze, coolant and screen wash
- Reduce your driving speed
- Look out for pedestrians and animals crossing the road in the dark
- Check how to turn your fog lights on/off
- Leave the house 10 minutes earlier to scrape frost off your car windows
- Have regular breaks when driving in the evening/night
- Make sure you have adequate fuel in case of breakdown
- Ensure you can see properly when driving, and get glasses if needed
- Keep an emergency kit in the car