All In A Days Work

If you are like me, fall is one of your favorite times of year. Beautiful leaves changing color, pumpkin carvings, sweater and hoodie weather – Halloween and Thanksgiving. But when it comes to driving the change from summer to fall can be a bit challenging. It’s wetter – colder – leaves are everywhere – and it gets darker sooner (not to mention the sun going down just as rush hour hits!) So it’s a good idea to be prepared for the roads – so here’s a list of safe driving tips for fall weather.

                   This post is sponsored by Warsaw Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Wet and Slippery Roads

It usually rains a lot in the fall which can make it hard to see, and can cause your vehicle to hydroplane. Then of course if it gets cold, the ran can turn to frost which is a whole other ballgame. Make sure to be alert and give yourself enough space and time to stop and avoid breaking suddenly when possible. If its foggy, use low beams and maintain the proper distance between other vehicles.

Watch for Kids

School being back in session means more people out and about -traffic, school bus stops, people crossing the street, etc. Make sure you are following the proper speed lmits, and be aware of walkers at all times – and of course don’t forget Halloween walkers! 

Tire Issues – Loss of Pressure

The love/hate relationship with fall – the temp changes. One minute it’s cool, the next it’s hot. These changes can cause car tires to expand and contract – which will usually result in the loss of air pressure.Be sure to check your tires regularly to make sure that they are always properly inflated. You can usually find the proper air tire pressure for your tires in the owner’s manual.

Slick Streets

The fall view is beautiful, but piles of leaves on the road can cause issues. Soggy leaves can be slippery and can hide road hazards, like potholes and such. If you are driving where there are leaves on the road, be sure to proceed carefully.

Watch for Deer

There are a lot of safety tips for driving during deer season – be sure to pay attention since you are nearly 4x more likely to hit an animal in the fall than any other time of year. 

After a long, balmy summer, the shift to fall can feel like a nice break. Soak it up while staying alert to the driving challenges of the season.

Well deer season is finally upon us, and unless you are an avid deer hunter, it’s not always good news. Your chances of hitting a deer are much higher during the fall months -so here’s a few safe driving tips to keep you safe on the road during deer season.

              This post is sponsored by Barkau Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Freeport

Be Extra Cautious During Dusk and Dawn

Deer are more active during sunrise and sunset – especially during mating season – which is usually between October and December. Make sure that all your passengers are wearing seat belts, no matter what. Keep your lights on, and keep your eye on the road.

Deer Crossing Signs are There for a Reason

Obviously you should stay alert and observe your surroundings whenever driving a vehicle, but you need to be extra wary for signs of wildlife. If you are driving down a country or back road , or even in neighborhoods where deer start to wander in search of food, it’s very important to keep an eye out. Deer Crossing Signs are there because of the high traffic area for deer, however you need to be cautious even when passing the area as nature is unpredictable.

Slow Down and Stay Alert if You Spot a Deer

Most deer travel in packs – so if you see one, there are others around. Slow down and be extra cautious. Even if you see the deer in a distance , remember the others could be closer to you or even across the street and they could dart across in front of you.

Don’t Swerve to Avoid a Deer

I know it feels like instinct to swerve, but by swerving you put yourself at risk for a worse collision like a head on with another vehicle or running off the road – try to stay in your lane and slow down as fast as possible; also? Hitting a deer is a comprehensive claim vs a collision claim with your insurance company, which for most means its a no-fault AND usually the deductibles are lower (if any deductible at all).

Speaking Of – get Comprehensive Insurance on Your Car

Comprehensive covers things other than a collision – so hitting an animal is covered under comprehensive coverage, and is surprisingly affordable to add on to about any vehicle. I recommend to all my clients that they carry comprehensive with a little or no deductible – besides covering hitting an animal, it also covers glass damage, hail damage, vandalism, theft, fire and flood.