5 Fall Driving Hazards and Tips to Stay Safe

Fall is upon us in New Jersey. The warm summer weather has been replaced with chilly fall temperatures. In addition to the changing leaves and cooler weather, fall in New Jersey also brings with its new driving dangers. Being aware of these dangers and the steps you can take to stay safe is important.

The Most Common Dangers in New Jersey (And How To Avoid Them)

Here are some of the most common dangers and tips you can use to avoid them and stay safe on the roads this fall:

1. Back-to-School Traffic

Fall is when most schools open back up. This leads to an increase in back-to-school traffic, both for vehicles and pedestrians. If you live near a school, you’re likely to notice an increase in cars, especially at drop-off and pick-up times. You are also likely to notice more children walking to and from school. It can take children a while to adjust to their new schedules. Younger children may be walking to school for the first time, and may not be as careful about looking both ways.

Safety Tip: It’s best to slow your speed and avoid distractions when in school zones. If you have a child, be sure they know the laws and go over the rules with them before dropping them off.

2. Shorter Days

It also gets darker earlier in the fall, which means your work commute to and from the office may be in the dark now. This can decrease visibility, which can be dangerous on the roads.

Safety Tip: Avoid distractions and plan your route. Be sure that your vehicle is up-to-date with all of the required maintenance needs to avoid any untimely breakdowns.

3. Foggy Conditions

In addition to the days getting shorter and darker faster, there is also more fog with the changing weather. Some mornings may even be met with frost, reducing your visibility.

Safety Tip: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination. You’ll be less likely to be in a rush and drive with fogged windows when you have time to spare.

4. Inexperienced Drivers

Fall is not only a time for children to go back to school, but it’s also when many driving schools begin new driving classes. A new group of teenagers will be learning to drive, which means fall often has less experienced drivers on the road. You may also have more younger drivers with new licenses.

Safety Tip: Look out for new drivers, or those currently in training. If you have a teen driver in your family, be sure they get a lot of practice time with you before going alone.

5. Drunk Drivers

Fall is the official beginning of the holiday season. The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest bar nights of the year. Soon after, Christmas and New Year’s Eve can also lead to an increased number of drunk drivers on the road.

Safety Tip: Consider alternative transportation. Avoid distractions and pay attention to your surroundings at all times when traveling on, and around, these holidays.

Contact a Howell Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Rudnick, Addonizio, Pappa & Casazza PC represent clients injured because of an accident in Edison, Freehold, Marlboro, Woodbridge, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 264-4400 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at Park Village, 25 Village Court Highway, #35 Hazlet, NJ 07730, as well as offices in East Brunswick, NJ.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.