Summer is overwhelmingly people’s favourite season; the long days, the sunshine, the warmth… it’s an undeniably pleasurable time that everyone can enjoy.

Autumn, on the other hand? Autumn is more difficult to contemplate. The days suddenly seem to shorten dramatically, the weather changes, and though there are fun and festivities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival to look forward to, many people find fall to be a season of concern – because it feels like winter is coming, and you can already taste it in the air.

Among a fairly consistent focus on the downsides of autumn, there is one aspect of fall that people tend to overlook; it’s a tough season for drivers. Autumn is a transitional season, without the extremes of summer and winter, which can make it seem like it’s an easier season for drivers to manage. However, this isn’t actually the case, and there are a number of hazards you need to be aware of as autumn takes hold.

The Trouble with Leaves

One of the wonders of autumn is watching leaves change colour and flutter to the ground – but this is inherently problematic for drivers. Leaves plus wet weather makes for an incredibly slippery road surface, so the first thing to be aware of when driving in autumn is that stopping distances may be longer than you expect. You may also find that your car struggles for traction around corners so if you see a number of leaves on the road ahead, do lower your speed to accommodate.

Rainfall Woes

As briefly touched on above, autumn tends to be a wet season, with the skies regularly opening and depositing their contents onto the road. This makes the roads slippery but also makes driving in and of itself more difficult. Driving through rain is never a pleasant experience, so ensure you take the time to check that your wipers are in good condition and that your vehicle has ample supplies of washer fluid prior to setting out on a journey.

In addition, excess water on the road can also lead to issues such as hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is incredibly dangerous, so it’s worth taking the time to watch this video that explains how to handle the situation should you experience it:

Overcoming the Issue of Shorter Days

Although days have technically been shortening since the end of June, it’s usually not until September that most of us notice this change happening. Throughout the summer, many drivers simply forget what it’s like to drive at night; which can lead to an autumnal upswing in accidents that require the assistance of Stewart J Guss and similar to legally rectify. If it’s been a while since you drove at night, be particularly cautious the first time you do so this autumn; keep distractions to a minimum until you feel more confident behind the wheel during nighttime hours.

In Conclusion

If you keep the tips above in mind, you should be able to make the transition back to autumn driving with a minimum of stress – good luck!