Autumn driving
Roads
Vulnerable Users
Driving Law
Breakdowns
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Autumn driving brings many changes for road users, from dazzlingly blinding sunlight to the first icy windscreen of the season.
Avoid driving over wet leaves
When wet leaves start to fall onto the roads, they can make driving conditions slippery and dangerous. Be extra careful.
Check that battery
A car battery that might be struggling now will almost certainly give you grief come the winter.
If the battery is more than five years old, get it checked and if necessary get a new one. It could save you having an unscheduled breakdown later.
Daylight hours
Daylight hours are getting shorter as autumn arrives. The clocks go back at the end of October and more driving in dusk and dark beckons you.
The reduced visibility on the roads can create unfamiliar driving conditions even on familiar routes.
You need to use extra caution and be aware of other road users like cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians who are less visible.
Watch out for frost
Low night-time temperatures bring frost on your windscreen, clear your windshield before driving.
Drive slower frost on the roads can make the surface slippery.
Look out for parts of the road that is in the shade, as these areas could create black ice during early morning and evening hours.
Fog
Cold autumn mornings can also bring fog which can significantly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance.
Fog tends to occur in low lying places.
A common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is using their full beam lights instead of staying with dipped lights making visibility worse because the full beam lights will bounce off the fog and create glare.
When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you’ll have adequate time to stop if you need to.