The weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter. While this season can be a beautiful time full of falling leaves, holiday celebrations and bundling up in your favorite sweater, it can also come with a unique set of risks, especially on the road.
Changing weather conditions, dropping temperatures and less daylight can all affect your commute. Read below to learn about the hazards you should be aware of as autumn gets into full swing.
1. Dropping temperatures
Temperatures drop dramatically overnight, especially around Denver and Boulder. This creates frost on the roads in the early morning that often refreeze in the evening. According to the Fun Times Guide, you should watch out for frost on the road during autumn, especially on bridges and overpasses. As you approach a bridge or overpass, try to gently decelerate or brake to monitor your speed. You should also clear your windows and windshield of frost each morning before you begin your commute.
2. Shorter days
As daylight time ends, you should adjust to lessening sunlight. You may encounter more sun glare on the road, which can make it hard to see your surroundings or cars in front of you. Fewer daylight hours means night comes sooner, which can decrease your visibility. Make sure you keep your lights on and keep an eye out for other cars, pedestrians and bicyclists as it gets darker.
3. Leaves, rain and snow
Rain and snow can make the pavement slippery. This can be worse when leaves get wet too and cover the streets. Not only can wet leaves reduce traction, but they can also obscure road markings and potholes. Other drivers may partake in “leaf peeping,” which is making unpredictable stops to look at the changing foliage.
You can be safer on the road by anticipating these hazards. If other drivers are negligent during the fall and winter, they may cause you to get into an accident with serious injuries.