Autumn in Indiana means beautiful fall foliage, cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice lattes. Unfortunately, “chunky sweater season” also inspires a variety of driving challenges that can impact road safety.
As the season will soon shift from late summer to early fall, so will conditions change on the road. You will, therefore, need to take extra precautions to remain as safe as possible. Whether you’re navigating wet leaves, dealing with reduced visibility or encountering wildlife, preparing to drive safely this autumn is going to be important for your personal well-being, the well-being of anyone with whom you travel and the well-being of anyone you may encounter while you’re trying to get “from here to there.”
Adjust for shorter days and reduced visibility
As autumn progresses, daylight hours decrease, and you’ll find yourself driving in the dark more often. Reduced visibility during early mornings and evenings can make it even more challenging than usual to see pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. To prepare for this, ensure that your headlights are clean and functioning properly. Use your headlights during twilight hours, even if it’s not fully dark yet. Also, remember to keep your windshield clean, both inside and out, to avoid glare from the low sun angle typical of autumn days.
Be cautious of fog and frost
Fog is common in Indiana during the fall, particularly in the early morning hours. It can significantly reduce visibility, making it harder to see the road ahead and increasing the likelihood of accidents. When driving in foggy conditions, slow down, use your low-beam headlights and maintain a greater following distance to allow more time to react to any obstacles.
As temperatures drop, frost can form on roads overnight, particularly on bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than other road surfaces. Frost can make roads slick, so be cautious during early morning commutes. If you encounter frosty conditions, reduce your speed and avoid abrupt steering or braking, which could cause you to lose control.
Watch out for wildlife
Autumn is deer mating season, and Indiana’s rural and suburban roads see an increase in deer activity during this time. At dawn and dusk, deer are more active, precisely when visibility is reduced. To avoid collisions, be especially vigilant when driving in areas where deer are known to cross. Use your high beams when appropriate to improve your ability to spot animals on the road, and slow down if you see a deer. Remember, if one deer crosses the road, others are likely to follow.
Year-round hazards are always concerning. Yet, it’s also important to remain aware of the challenges that affect motorists’ ability to stay safe in each unique season in Indiana.