Autumn driving
it’s trickier than you think
Autumn is the most dangerous time of year to be on the roads – and especially for new drivers, who have never experienced the extreme conditions they will encounter.
Everyone knows about the dangers of snow and ice, and the care you need to take. But few people give any thought to the autumn, when low sun, dark evenings, heavy rain, strong winds, dead leaves and poor visibility can all add up to a potential nightmare for inexperienced motorists.
Steve Garrod, group manager of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), has drawn up a list of the main problems encountered on the roads in the autumn.
Low sun This time of year is particularly bad for being dazzled by low sun, so it makes sense to ensure that your windscreen is spotless, inside and out. If you don’t clean it regularly, a film builds up on the inside surface which can turn opaque in strong sun. And scratches, chips and scuffs on the outside (older cars often have their screens scoured by windscreen wipers) will exaggerate the dazzle effect.
Puddles and lying water With a combination of heavy rain and leaves blocking drains, large sections of road surface are often covered by water, some of it surprisingly deep. And it’s easy to lose control of your car if you drive into deep water too quickly. Apparently ordinary puddles often disguise deep potholes, so they should be avoided too, if possible.
Leaves on the road Leaves cause two main problems, apart from blocking drains.
They often cover road markings, which is a particular problem at junctions, where they also make braking more hazardous. And fallen leaves make any wet roads even more slippery than usual.
They often cover road markings, which is a particular problem at junctions, where they also make braking more hazardous. And fallen leaves make any wet roads even more slippery than usual.
Wind On open roads, and particularly on bridges and motorways, high-sided vehicles not only swerve from side to side, but can actually topple over. And if you overtake one, having been sheltered while overtaking, when you get past the vehicle a strong wind will actually force you towards the centre of the road. In towns, wheelie bins, dustbin lids and other debris can appear from nowhere and cause you to swerve to avoid them.
Verges When you’re driving out of town and meet a driver coming towards you on a narrow road, verges will be soft. If you drive on to one your car will sink in, often disastrously.
“All in all, new drivers who have perhaps been driving since the spring need to be far more aware of road conditions and their surroundings in the autumn than they can possibly realise,” says Steve Garrod. “You need to be more observant, more cautious, and you need to take account of the changing road conditions and drive accordingly.
“It’s common sense for most people, but skill levels vary and a complete novice might feel far more comfortable with a couple of hours’ extra tuition under their belt. Go out in the dark, in the rain, in the wind. It’s surprising how much more competent drivers can become with even a small amount of season-specific training.”
If you feel you would benefit from further training on any aspect of autumn driving pleasecontact us
No comments:
Post a Comment