Changing seasons present new challenges on the road. Here's some best practices
Rain, ice, and snow. It's all coming to a road near you.
Fall is here, which will be followed closely by winter.These seasons can make driving more challenging. Here are some best practices to keep in mind for the months ahead.
Rain, snow, and everything in between will make a noticeable comeback in the weeks ahead.
Keep your distance
During this transition, motorists should be on high alert for road conditions that change quickly. Maintaining a distance from other vehicles will help.
On a sunny and clear day when the roads are dry, a two-second distance will suffice - but if a heavier truck or car is behind you, increase the distance. The same goes for a motorcycle.
More space gives you a longer reaction time should something go awry.
Rain, snow, and freezing rain
Precipitation makes roads slippery. In these types of conditions, increase your distance to four seconds.
Wet pavement can also be the result of melting snow which increases the risk of aquaplaning. If this occurs, let go of the pedals and keep steering straight.
Snowy and icy roads
Maintain a distance of six seconds on snow-covered, icy roads.
Black ice
If your car starts to slide on an icy road, avoid breaking or jerking your steering wheel. CAA-Quebec recommends maintaining a distance of eight seconds in these conditions.
Leaves
"Brightly-coloured leaves are a feast for the eyes while they're on the trees, but they inevitably fall to the ground where they can present a safety hazard," writes auto expert Gary Malloy.
"Leaves on the roadway, especially when they're wet, can be as slippery as ice - so treat them with the same caution. Piles of leaves along the edge of the road can also obscure hidden hazards, so steer clear of them."
Thumbnail image c/o Getty Images via Canva Pro.
