While driving on the roads of West Virginia in the fall, you might notice a few changes that could contribute to accidents, such as more leaves on the road and animals that could run out in front of your car. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that can enhance the safety of you and your passengers as well as other drivers on the road.
Slower driving
One way to decrease the risk of car accident injuries is to slow down during the fall season. There could be patches of ice on bridges and roadways that you might not see until you get to that area. It could be foggy in the early morning hours, which can decrease your visibility. It’s also beneficial to slow down in the evening since it gets dark earlier in the day in the fall.
Road conditions
Since the leaves fall off of the trees in the fall, you want to try to avoid driving over large patches of them that are in roadways. If it has been raining, the leaves could become slippery, causing you to swerve on the road and become involved in an accident. This is a time of the year when snowfall could occur as well, which can drastically change road conditions in a short time.
Animals
Deer and other animals tend to move around a bit more in the fall as they search for food. Sometimes, these animals can dart in front of your vehicle. If you see an animal on the side of the road, slow down so that any impact is less severe. While driving at night, you can use your high beams so that you can better see any animals on the sides of the road as long as there are no other vehicles in the other lane.
With the fall season being full of changes, there are some ways that you can safely drive on the road and enjoy the scenery at the same time.