MENU
SEARCHThe autumn brings with it apple picking, stunning fall foliage, and both spooky and satiating holidays. However, autumn also means wet leaves on the roadways and lots of traffic.
Wet leaves on the roadways and increased traffic can create certain dangers for drivers in the autumn season.
Screenshot via the Weather Channel.
The autumn brings with it apple picking, stunning fall foliage, and both spooky and satiating holidays. However, autumn also means wet leaves on the roadways and lots of traffic, as leaf peepers set out on fall excursions.
As with any of the four seasons, there are specific steps drivers can take to ensure their safety on the roads in autumn. Experts offer the following advice:
Rain and fallen leaves can make for a dangerous combination on the road, resulting in a slippery condition that is similar to driving on ice. In addition to having a significant impact of stopping distance, wet leaf- covered roads can obscure curves, ditches and potholes—so proceed with caution.
On those wet leafy roads, it’s imperative to understand that stopping will be extremely difficult. In fact, a car moving at 40mph on a dry road will ordinarily take about 60 feet or four car lengths to come to a full stop. Add wet leaves to that road and the same car traveling at 40 mph will require 150 feet—or 10 full car lengths—to come to a full stop.
In the fall, the sun rises later and sets earlier in the day, so glare can be a greater problem than at other times of the year. Keep sunglasses handy and make sure your visors are clutter-free and ready to be utilized.
In the fall, dusk comes early and you are likely to be driving at that hour more often—so make sure to use your headlights. In addition, get your headlights cleaned and checked for proper alignment. Dirt and misalignment can reduce the distance a driver can detect objects by up to 30%.
Because the days are shorter, more joggers, cyclists and children may be out and about at dusk—and more difficult to detect with the changing light at that hour—so be extra alert for their presence.
Tires expand and contract with changes in the weather, so stay on top of your tire pressure and make sure they have ample tread.
It is also imperative to ensure that your wipers are in good condition for autumn rain showers. Experts suggest replacing them every six months.
The Weather Channel has a video about ways to stay safe on the roads this fall.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
