Here's some Monday reading...
Fall is here and it’s time to say hello to beautiful foliage, falling leaves, pumpkin spiced lattes and cozy sweaters! As the season changes, fall brings unique challenges while walking and driving. Keep your safety in mind and review the tips below.
Leaves and Leaf PeepersFallen leaves litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards and when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice. Where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. In addition, a pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place for children and pets to enjoy jumping or burrowing down and hiding.
FogCold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.
FrostDuring the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.
Sun glareSun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.
Overall, it’s a beautiful time of the year, so being mindful of the dangers and by using extra caution you can ensure everyone’s safety.
