Driving in Autumn

While the calendar may still say it is technically summer, with Labor Day behind us and the kids back in the school, or at least attending school in one way or another, the summer is effectively over and we are heading quickly into Autumn. Before we know it the leaves are going to start to turn and you are going to start to need a light jacket when the sun starts to go down. While many people consider the Fall to be their favorite time of the year, when it comes to driving, there are a lot things can be very dangerous.

It Gets Dark Earlier

You may have noticed already that it is getting darker earlier. While over the summer there might be some hint of sunlight well past 8pm, it is now fully dark by then with sunsets in early September happening around 7:15 pm and twilight happening at about 7:45. When the sun sets around this time, it is very low in the sky around the time people are driving home from work. This might not be an issue for many people who travel from New York City since the sun is behind them, but if you are driving West, you are driving directly into the sun, which makes driving and seeing what is going on around you very difficult.

Driving in the Dark

Since the sun is going down earlier, there are more people driving in the dark. For many people, driving at night can be a challenge due to poor eyesight or age. Street lights can cause a glare that can make the road difficult to see, and even in perfect conditions, if you are having a hard time seeing at a distance in the dark, your reaction time is shortened in case you run into trouble.

More People on the Road, and More Kids Out on Bikes

With so many people getting back to school and work, the roads are going to be a lot busier than they have been in several months. Many people were spoiled by the clear roads, and while road conditions have started to return back to normal, now that school is open and many people are back to work, roads are going to be as crowded as ever. With kids back in school, there are also going to be more kids walking and riding their bikes in the afternoon, and kids on bikes can be unpredictable. Especially when they do things like trying to pop a wheelie and ride on their back wheels as many kids have been doing lately.

Leaves

We mentioned the leaves that fall from the trees, but it is worth mentioning again since leaves are an extreme hazard on the road. They makes seeing lines on the street difficult and they can cover reflectors on the road. Even dry leaves can cause major problems as leaves can cause tires to lose traction on the road causing cards to veer out of control.

What Can You Do?

There are several things you can do to keep safe. Some of these things are easy to do right now and just takes some discipline. Some things take some planning and several of these things would mean coming down to see us at Sonny’s Auto Repair.

• Slow down – it is no secret that if you slow down, you give yourself more time to react to any situation you may encounter on the road

• Get your eye checked – if you have not checked your eyes in a while then you should really get them checked out. If you need glasses and you are not wearing the right prescription, then your night vision is going to be seriously diminished.

• Check your windshield wipers – Fall is a rainy season, so you have to make sure your windshield wipers are up to the task

• Check your lights – Make sure all your lights are working. Some lights, like your headlights help you see while other lights and reflectors help others see you. Both are equally as important.

• Check your brakes – Checking your brakes is vital this time of year. You need to know that not only are your brakes working, but so are all of the brake related functions, like ABS. If your braking system is not working as you expect, your car will not stop as you expect when you hit the brake pedal.

• Check your tires – Having tires that are matched, balanced, aligned and at the right air pressure is one of the most important things you can do with your car. Even if everything else is working, if your tires are compromised, your car will not function properly, and you are putting yourself and all around you at risk.
  

When it comes to brakes and tires, you should not skimp or take changes. Bring your car to Sonny’s Auto Repair and while you are here, we can also check your lights and wiper blades. Getting your eyes checked is up to you.