Although most people don’t worry about road conditions until the winter months, it’s important to note that the fall season brings several dangers that you should be aware of.
Fallen leaves on roadways can decrease traction for drivers, and if the leaves are wet, can lead to slipping that is similar to ice. Furthermore, it gets dark sooner and certain animals such as deer are out in greater numbers and can dash across roadways at a moment’s notice.
Because of these and other dangers, it’s important to not only drive more carefully but to make sure your car is in tip-top shape. Checking these few things on your vehicle will keep you protected on roadways this fall and will gain you peace of mind.
Give your brakes a quick inspection
As mentioned above, you may have a situation where you are forced to slam on your breaks to avoid deer or other road hazards.
Things to check for include rust, strange squeaking noises or the state of your brake pads. It is typically suggested to have your brakes replaced if there is less that 4mm of material left on the pads.
Check your vehicle’s tire pressure
If you have a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle, make sure the pressure of your tires is where it should be according to your car’s manual. If the pressure is below, simply drive to your local gas station and they should have an air pump to get your tires filled.
Make sure all lights & signals are working
Because it gets dark out sooner in the fall, it’s important to have properly working lights.
When you have a few minutes, we suggest starting your vehicle and trying out all your lights, including fog lights, high beams, etc. Also make sure to check that all turning signals are properly working in both the front and back of the vehicle.
Check wipers & fluid
Depending on what part of the country you live in, the fall can bring a wide range of precipitation including rain, sleet, snow and more.
To ensure you’re prepared, check your vehicle’s windshield wipers and make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid.
Simply throw a little bit of water on your windshield and test out the wipers. If the wipers leave streaks or are sticking, it’s a good idea to have them replaced before you get in a dangerous situation.
While we hope that you are safe on the roadways this fall, accidents do happen. If you find yourself in an accident and need an accident reconstruction report, we ask that you call on our team at 4N6XPRT Systems.
Our forensic accident reconstruction software will accurately process information associated with the accident and has been used by civil and criminal attorneys, law enforcement, insurance companies, risk analysts and more. To learn about all the services we provide, call us at 1-619-464-3478.