Tips for safe driving in the fall by car

Frits Pieper
06 dec 2015

Most drivers prepare well for driving in the winter, but not always for driving in the fall. And yet during the fall you can encounter a number of surprises and changeable weather conditions in the car that can cause dangerous situations on the road. Think for example of heavy rain showers, hail, wind, low sun, falling branches and leaves on the road. Moreover, it gets dark early in the fall. How can you ensure that you are well prepared for the road in the fall? We give you a number of tips.

Get your car ready for fall

First of all, it is important that your car is well-resistant to the severe and changeable weather conditions. Therefore, prepare your car for autumn. There are a number of things that you should check carefully before you take the car on the road in autumn, namely:

The tires

Check both the tire pressure and the tread depth of the tires. If both are in order, you will have much more grip on the road surface and you will run less risk of aquaplaning or skidding. It is also smart to put the winter tires under the car in the fall. Winter tires offer much more grip on a slippery road surface, for example with heavy rainfall, hail or fallen leaves.

Windshield wipers and windshield fluid

In order to maintain a good view of the road during heavy rain, snow and hail, it is very important that your windshield wipers work properly. If you notice that your windshield wipers leave streaks or that the rubbers feel rather dry, replace the windshield wipers with new ones. It is best to replace windshield wipers every year.

Also make sure that your car's windshield washer fluid is topped up. In autumn and winter, it is best to choose the winter version of windshield washer fluid, as this is more resistant to frost.

Have the battery and light checked

If your car hasn't had a service for a while, we recommend that you have it checked thoroughly during or just before the fall. It is especially important that the battery is checked, as it is sensitive to low temperatures. If your car has an old battery in the fall, you run the risk of breaking down on the side of the road.

It is also wise to regularly check (or have checked) in the autumn and winter whether the lighting of your car is working properly. Also include the brake lights in the check. Finally, make sure that the headlights are adjusted correctly to prevent other motorists from being blinded by them.

driving in the fall

Additional tips for driving safely in the fall

Now that your car is ready for fall, there are a few other things you can do to reduce the chance of car accidents in the fall. Read the following tips:

What to do in case of extreme rain (and aquaplaning)?

A heavy rain shower can seriously reduce your visibility. You may not be allowed to turn on your rear fog lights, but you can still turn on your adjust speed and the increase the distance to the vehicle in front of you. You should also use it in heavy rain watch out for aquaplaning.

With aquaplaning, you are driving on a layer of water, which causes you to lose your grip on the road surface and the car becomes virtually uncontrollable. Tires with a good tread and the ideal tire pressure can help prevent aquaplaning. If you do experience aquaplaning, follow the next steps steps to deal with aquaplaning.

Always turn on the lights

In the fall, you are often less visible to other road users (due to the low sun). Therefore, always turn on your lights, even during the day. This way, you are much more visible.

Put sunglasses in the car

In the fall, it gets dark early and you can be bothered by the low sun during twilight. Prevent yourself from being blinded by putting sunglasses in the car. This way, you can maintain your view of the road despite the bright sun and prevent unnecessary accidents.

Get night vision goggles

About a third of all men and half of all women have poor vision in the dark. Do you also suffer from this? In that case, night glasses with yellow lenses can offer a solution. With them, you can continue to see well in the dark and you do not have to orient yourself on the lines or headlights of a vehicle in front.

Prevent fogged car windows

Never drive with fogged windows. This is not only life-threatening, but can also result in a hefty fine. If you get into your car in the fall and notice that the car windows are (partly) fogged, immediately turn on the air conditioning or heating to the highest setting. This will reduce the condensation. You can also remove the condensation with a clean, dry cloth.

Dry the soles of your shoes before getting in

We recommend that you always dry the soles of your shoes before riding in the fall. Wet shoes can make it easier to slide off the pedals, which can lead to dangerous situations.

Drive carefully!

Finally, it is of course essential that you adjust your driving behaviour to the weather conditions. Rain and snow can make the road slippery and the braking distance longer than you are used to. Therefore, adjust your speed and keep sufficient distance from the vehicle in front. This way you still have enough space to come to a standstill if you have to brake suddenly.

Want to know more about safe driving? Then read our blog tips on safe driving.

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