Autumn is the time of year for climatic transition, during which there is an increase in adverse weather phenomena, which can take us by surprise if we are on a road trip. Rain, fog, and ice are some of the signs of winter's arrival. And because of this, it is necessary to implement safe driving practices to avoid any risk of accident.
Therefore, below we will give you some important tips for safe driving during autumn.
Safe Driving: Prevention
Before making the trip:
- Service the vehicle and get it ready for the fall season. Check that it is mechanically sound, and above all, check the brakes, inspect the condition of the windshield wipers and the rear defroster. Additionally, verify the vehicle's lights, fog lights, and their adjustments.
- You will also need to check the brake fluid, oil, and windshield washer fluid levels. Don't forget to clean the windows, headlights, mirrors, and any reflective elements that allow you to see and be seen.
- Pack a spare tire and the necessary tools for its installation, a reflective vest (approved), and the Emergency light signal. Finally, inform yourself about the possibility of adverse weather conditions for your road trip.
During the trip
- If there are adverse weather conditions on a long journey, then stop, rest, and wait for the conditions to improve.
- For safe driving, do not hesitate to reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
- In fog, turn on your low beam headlights and fog lights. Always drive in the right lane and pay close attention to two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians, as they may be less visible in fog.
- In the rain, do not brake suddenly to avoid aquaplaning and increase the safety distance with the vehicle in front.
- With ice, the best thing you can do is know how to recognize these sections in advance so you don't have to use the brakes. How to detect their presence? Basically, if you observe ice on the windshield, high humidity, bright sun, and whitish frost patches in areas near the roadway.
