Tips for Fall Driving

Posted August 29, 2018

School is back in session, the leaves are changing colour, and there is a crisp tingle to the air. Fall is here. But when you think of fall, do you ever think about the hazards of fall driving? We’ve compiled some tips on navigating the road this fall season:

Watch Out for Pedestrians
Kids are back to school and parents are back to work so be cautious of pedestrians this time of year, especially weekdays from 7:00am – 9:00am and 3:00pm – 6:00pm. On the weekends, people will be out enjoying the warm weather, the fall foliage, and the farmer’s markets, so be cautious when you approach crosswalks.

Beware the Sun
The sun is rising later and setting earlier so it can cause many hazards in the fall. Make sure to turn on your vehicle’s lights when it’s dark outside so that your rear lights will turn on because your daytime running lights will only turn on your headlights. Also make sure to have sunglasses accessible because the sun will be the brightest on your way to and from work.

Look Out for Wildlife
In the fall, animals are preparing for hibernation and starting mating season so they will be more active than others times of year. Make sure to watch the ditches in animals crossing areas and turn on your high beams when you are driving in rural areas at night. If an animal is in the road, veer in the direction that the animal came from as animals will instinctively continue on their path across the road instead of turning around.

Slick, Slippery Roads
In the fall, roads could accumulate frost in the morning and evenings so be sure to slow down when you are coming to a stop and increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. Also be sure to slow down when it is raining as the roads will be more slippery. Fallen leaves will also decrease your traction on the road so be sure to have a good grip on the steering wheel and give yourself extra stopping time.

Check Your Tires
Now is the time to get your winter tires changed over before the winter rush. Make sure to examine your stored winter tires to ensure that they are free of cracks and bulges. Also ensure that there is nothing lodged in the tire like a nail or screw. Finally, check the tread wear with a tread depth gauge. If the tires have 2/32” of tread or less, then you are in need of new tires. Bring your vehicle and both your all-season and winter tires into your local Integra Tire and we can check the tread for you.

Fall means that winter is just around the corner so preparing yourself now will help you later.

Questions? Our Advisors are Happy to Help!

If you have questions about anything you've read in this resource page, contact your nearest dealer for more information. We are passionate in assisting our customers make the best choices to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape and keep their families safe.