As the colder weather begins to settle in and the last vestiges of summer slip away until next year Ontario’s roads shift and change as well. Autumn can be a beautiful time to take a drive with the changing of the leaves and the cool brisk air but there are dangers that come with every season and this one is no different.
Lower Visibility
The first thing to watch out for, so to speak, is for things that decrease your visibility. The major one in fall is fog caused by cold mornings. Make sure to drive slowly and stay well behind the vehicle in front of you when driving in fog – and make sure to keep your high beams off as they can bounce off the fog to create glare. Glare from the sun can also be bad due to the shorter days – those heading east in the morning will get it the worst – so make sure to keep sunglasses at hand to ensure you’re still able to see traffic and signals in front of you. As the night temperatures starts to approach or drop below zero your windows will start to fog up or frost over as well – so make sure to scrape them off and give the heaters time to do their work so you have a full view of the road.
Road Dangers
Early in autumn, rain can lead to greater danger on the road as water can pool on top of oil or other residue that hasn’t yet been washed away. As the season progresses one of the big concerns, especially in Ontario, will be fallen leaves. Leaves can hide potholes or other road damage and rain can turn leaves as slick as ice so be careful where there’s a significant amount on the ground. As winter approaches frost and icy spots will become more common particularly on shaded areas and on bridges – so approach them with caution.
The key to road safety is making sure your driving habits adjust to the situation – do that and you’ll be in great shape regardless of what season you’re in. If you’ve been driving during the fall and have been injured in an accident you should seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Call Conte & Associates at 1-877-614-0008. Based in Vaughan and Whitby, Conte & Associates works with clients in Whitby/Oshawa, and in the following cities in Ontario: Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Newcastle, Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Port Perry, Belleville, and Peterborough.
