Fall Driving Tips: Stay Safe While Navigating Wet Leaves, Deer

Autumn is here, and with it comes some driving conditions that require extra caution, such as wet leaves, increased sun glare, and an abundance of deer.

In addition to creating slippery conditions, wet leaves can often cover traffic lines and other pavement markings. Motorists should slow down, particularly in residential areas as well as on narrow or winding roads.

Intense sun glare can affect drivers’ vision during morning and afternoon rush hours. Motorists should keep their windshield clean, both inside and out to help reduce glare. Drivers should also be certain that the vehicle’s sun visor is free of clutter and be certain to keep a pair of good sunglasses within easy reach.

Deer pose another threat to drivers, causing 4,223 crashes across Pennsylvania in 2016, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. There were 13 fatalities connected to those accidents. Pennsylvania is tied for the third highest number of deadly animal collisions with Illinois, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

“Animal-vehicle collisions start to increase in October and peak in mid-November,” Jana L. Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said in a statement. “As the deer population grows and urbanization spreads into formerly rural areas, motorists need to be even more cautious and alert behind the wheel, especially at dawn and dusk, which can be times high of deer activity.”

As the fall wears on and winter approaches, a new set of challenges arise for motorists. It's important to clear all frost from your windows before driving. Pennsylvania law states that no person shall drive a vehicle with ice or snow on the front, rear or side windows if it obstructs or impairs the driver’s view of the road.

Frost can also lead to slippery conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses that freeze more quickly than roadways. Motorists also need to be alert of shaded areas that could be frozen.

PennDOT and AAA offer motorists these additional tips for fall driving:

• When driving in severe weather or in areas with wet leaves, increase your following distance. If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass
• With twilight approaching earlier in the evenings, make sure that your vehicle’s headlights, tail lights and turn signals are all working properly. Turn your headlights on as soon as the light begins to fade
• Be sure that your vehicle’s heating system and wipers are functioning properly and remember that under Pennsylvania law, if your wipers are on, your headlights must be on, too
• Be sure that your tires have sufficient tread depth to deal with the potential for early-season snows
• Pay attention to road signs
• Scan your eyes back and forth
• Early morning and evening hours are often the most dangerous, as
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Call police and your insurance agency immediately after a collision

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