10 keys to avoid the most common traffic accidents in autumn
Autumn gives rise to long car journeys through the mountains to enjoy the reddish and yellow colour of the forests. However, this season and the weather conditions that accompany it (lower temperatures, inclement weather, reduced hours of daylight) can make our driving experience difficult.
For us to face this season safely, Seat, with the collaboration of the pilot and driving expert Jordi Gené, has drawn up a decalogue with the ten golden rules to avoid these adversities and enjoy our trips more.
Pinpoint caution
Being cautious can save us many scares at the wheel. During this time of year, the drop in temperatures causes the asphalt to cool and become damp, which can cause a loss of tire grip.
Proper maintenance of your tires is essential.
As you know, the wheels are the only point of contact that our vehicle has with the road, so their maintenance is essential. Seat recommends checking the pressure once a month and checking that the depth of your drawing does not fall below 2 millimetres and, in no case, below 1.6 millimetres because rolling on the wet at 90 km/h is almost wholly lost—contact with the asphalt.
The danger of leaves on the road
What, at first glance, is a beautiful picture dyed in a broad colour palette can become a much less idyllic scene. And it is that when the asphalt is dressed with a layer of leaves, Gené explains, especially if wet, they cause the same effect as a snowfall.
For this reason, the pilot recommends avoiding driving through areas where the asphalt is covered with leaves and not braking suddenly because they can cause a loss of traction in the vehicles. “If this happens to us in the middle of a curve, we should not make sudden movements and, if grip is lost, we should not force the trajectory until we have direction again,” he recommends.
Fallen leaves from trees on asphalt are dangerous because they can cause loss of traction.
The “3V (visibility, vehicle ahead and speed).”
Fog is a widespread meteorological phenomenon during autumn and winter and can be very dangerous. In these cases, it is when you have to sharpen your eyes, control the vehicle’s movement in front and, above all, adapt your speed to the situation. Thus, if, for example, we can only see 50 meters away, we must leave that same distance concerning the vehicle in front, and we must not exceed 50 km/h speed, Gené details.
4. Front fog lights
It is advisable not to use high beams when it is foggy as they produce a mirror effect that prevents us from seeing the vehicles in front of us. In these cases, it is best to use the front fog lights.
5. Windshield wipers
The summer heat often hurts the condition of the windshield wipers. This element is essential during the cold months, so you must ensure it works correctly. It is recommended to change them once a year because wearing them in poor condition means seeing between 20 and 30%. The best time to carry out this operation is in autumn due to the more significant presence of rains. As crucial as the wiper blades are, so is checking for washer fluid.
Brushes need to be changed once a year. 10 keys to avoid the most common traffic accidents in autumn
6. safety distance
Jordi Gené recommends doubling that distance (leaving about 4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you) on wet roads. It is so because in these cases, you must touch the brakes gently and periodically to dry the water that accumulates in the pads and thus check their effectiveness.
7. Aquaplaning
It is one of the most dangerous phenomena we can encounter while driving a vehicle. It occurs when we go through giant pools of water, where we momentarily lose control of the direction. In these situations, you must forget about the brake until the wheels come into contact with the asphalt again. It will be at that moment when, with gentle movements of the steering wheel, we will correct the slippage of the vehicle. Hydroplaning is a risky driving situation
Driving in the wind
Strong wind is an invisible threat when driving. It can destabilize the vehicle and even throw you off the road. For this reason, the pilot stresses the importance of moderating the speed and holding the steering wheel firmly when the wind blows. This is especially important when we overtake trucks because, in those cases, the fearsome screen effect can occur.
Glare
During the autumn, the daytime hours are shortened, and it gets dark earlier. For this reason, it is essential to review the lighting system, and above all, be careful not to dazzle the rest of the vehicles with the high beams.
Extreme caution should be exercised on the road when driving in windy conditions.
10. Attention to fauna
Bearing in mind that this time is mating season, pay special attention to areas where there are signs of danger from wildlife and slow down. Here we explain the consequences of running over an animal on the road.
Dermapen: what it is outstanding benefits WRINKLES AND SCARS
10 Most Common Injuries Rear-End Truck Accident 2022
Most frequent injuries in motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them
6 Footwear Models for Plantar Fasciitis For 2022
10 keys to avoid the most common traffic accidents in autumn