ANSBACH, Germany (Sept. 16, 2014) -- Summer is nearly over. The cool crisp air in the morning, the overcast skies, and the turning of leaves on trees serve as reminders that weather and road conditions are changing.
As vehicle operator's, we must adjust our approach/mindset towards driving to meet fall's driving challenges. Below are some driving tips to help you mitigate the fall's hidden hazards and stay safe.
In Germany, autumn is a damp, wet season consisting of rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost -- or worse, black ice -- may coat the roadway at night.
• When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway. German law (50/50 Law) states that if visibility is reduced to 50 meters (164 feet) or less, the maximum speed limit is 50 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. Rear fog lights can only be used when visibility is less than 50 meters. They cannot, however, be used within cities/towns/villages.
• As temperatures drop, frost and black ice often form on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and brake gently in forestry areas and on overpasses and bridges, as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
• Black ice may form when moisture such as light rain, mist or drizzle falls on a road surface that is at a temperature below zero degrees Celcius, even when the ambient temperature may be above freezing. Bridges and overpasses can be especially dangerous. Black ice forms first on bridges and overpasses because air can circulate both above and below the surface of the elevated roadway, causing the bridge pavement temperature to drop more rapidly. Shaded areas, such as wooden areas and roadways near bodies of water also support the formation of black ice more readily as the temperature of the road surface is cooler in these areas.
As the leaves begin to fall from the trees onto the roadway, drivers must beware of hidden hazards. Leaves reduce vehicle traction when wet, causing skidding or loss of vehicle control. Besides causing loss of vehicle control, leaves often cover potholes and bumps as well as road markings, making it difficult to know the widths of lanes. Additionally, when the temperature drops below freezing, wet leaves will freeze and turn into dangerous icy leaves on the roadway. Here are some helpful tips to maintain control of your vehicle:
• Slow down if you are driving on leaf-covered roadways, especially when driving around curves.
• Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Increase your following distance to four seconds to provide a safety cushion.
• Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road, beware when traveling on unfamiliar roadways.
• Clean leaves from your windshield to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
During autumn, there are fewer hours of daylight. In the fading light of the fall's dusk, it is common for children to be outside playing or riding bicycles after sunset. Your neighbors may be walking their dogs, jogging or taking their evening stroll. Regrettably, many will be wearing dark clothing making it difficult to see them. As vehicle operators, we must --
• Watch out for children walking to and from bus stops in the morning and afternoons. Many will be wearing dark clothing making it more difficult to spot them. (Hint: Parents should augment their child's jacket, book bags, or backpacks with bright or reflective colors to increase their child's visibility to motorists.)
• Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets are beautiful but can make it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road's shoulder. Wearing polarized sunglasses during these times reduces the danger of accidents. Also, watch out for drivers who may be driving into the glare of the sun.
• Watch out for deer. Deer are more likely to run into the roadway at dawn and dusk since fall is mating season. If you see one by the road or leaping across the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups.
• Fall also means harvest season, which means large, slow-moving vehicles will be on roadways. Watch out for farm vehicles in the early morning and late evening tracking mud and debris on the roadway.
Vehicle Maintenance. As we make the mental adjustment to fall driving, we must also ensure our vehicle is ready for fall road conditions:
• Keep your headlights cleaned and in proper working order, making sure they are properly aligned.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades if they show any signs of wear or tear (skipping, marring, rubbing, and more).
• Check your tires tread depth and ensure you keep them properly inflated.
• Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.
Although safe driving is essential throughout the year, it becomes paramount during the fall and winter season. Tune your mindset to the fall season to recognize and mitigate the hidden hazards.
To learn more safety tips, visit "USAG Ansbach Safety Office" in the related links section.
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