In the 21st century, there is a common consensus that driving and owning an automobile of some sort isn’t a luxury. It is a necessity. Be it – getting to and from work, dropping your children to school and getting them to their extra-curricular events in time, traveling between states for work, and getting groceries – driving is the easiest and most time-saving means of accomplishing tasks in our daily life. As life becomes more fast-paced and driving becomes even more of a need, so does the increasing need for following safety protocols while driving.
In the fall, especially, driving isn’t an easy feat. The weather conditions, coupled with the traffic, make your driving commute harder. You need to be extra vigilant about your safety. Here are four fall driving tips that will keep you and your loved ones safe and secure.
Focus on the road; your cell phone can wait.
The “ping” of our cellphones is quite often irresistible to ignore. We realize that these notifications are imperative and can change the course of our professional and personal lives. However, your life is more important. According to research, “[s]ending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”
We suggest that while driving, put your phone on the “don’t disturb mode” to fully focus on the task at hand. During the fall, damp roads and fog will make it even harder to focus. The road must get all your attention.
Choosing your tires
Rain and frost make a constant appearance during fall. To drive over them while maintaining maximum control over your vehicle, you might want to invest in tires with a lot of threading to create maximum friction.
To drive safely, we propose that you check your tire pressure regularly at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) of pressure each month, no matter the weather. During the fall, this process is accelerated. Better maintained tires will allow you to have maximum control and maneuverability over your vehicle.
Fighting the glare
During the fall months, the sun moves closer to the horizon. This leads to an increase in the glare caused by the sun rays. Glares are a pain to deal with as it is because they reflect the light directly into your eyes, making it hard to decipher the actual structure and spacing of the objects on the road.
We advise you to keep your windshields clean of dust and dirt and use sunglasses to lessen glares’ harsh effects in the fall months.
Inexperience and preparing for driving in the fall
Driving in the fall is an arduous task for those experienced in these conditions. For those who are new to this weather and driving, it becomes even more difficult.
Your safety comes first. It’s easy to downplay the dangers of driving in the fall. Still, we suggest that you take all the necessary precautions, including wearing a seatbelt, installing fog lights, not clicking on your high beams too often, and keeping supplies in your car.
Insuring your automobile
Suppose you don’t pay heed to these precautions. In that case, this can lead to an increase in your premiums as it will increase the chances of you getting into unfortunate circumstances like an accident or traffic violations.
At Paradiso Insurance, we care about you and your well-being. Your livelihood is our top priority. This is why we advise you to drive with care during fall and insure your automobile in case of an unforeseen event.