 Fall is a time of festivals, football, and family. Many look forward to the cool weather and the changing leaves, but one thing no one looks forward to is the road and weather conditions that come with it. From wet leaves to the occasional ice patches, those conditions can make driving a little tougher.
Here are 7 safety tips you should know as we head into the fall season.
1. Tend to your tires.
When the weather cools as fall heads toward winter, tires typically lose pressure and can cause your car to handle poorly. You can find the correct tire pressure on the decal posted on the driver side door jamb or on the tire itself. Also, if you are noticing that the tread is getting low you may want to consider a new set before the season arrives. To find out if your tire tread is sufficient, visit your local Jaguar Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery dealership to have your tire tread checked.
2. Watch out for kids.
Early in the school year, kids often haven't developed the habit of looking for moving traffic before they cross the road leaving a school bus. It's illegal to pass a stopped bus in most places, and buses are beginning to use cameras to catch people who do drive by when the "Stop" arms are extended and the lights are flashing. Older kids driving to and from school are a danger, and in danger, too. Also, with the cooler weather kids may be more willing to be out and about playing.
3. Don't try to break on leaves in the road.
Wet leaves sometimes can be as slick and ice on the road. Drive slowly over leaves and avoid sharp turns, accelerating and breaking on leaves.
4. Be cautious in the rain.
This can be said year-round, but during fall, many cities see increased rainfall. When it's raining, be sure to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, as the wet roads may be more slippery than usual, and you may be at higher risk of hydroplaning.
5. Watch for deer.
Fall is breading season for deer, so you will see them running across the road or alongside the road more often than other seasons. Pay attention to dee crossing signs and to areas surrounded by woods and be ready to slow down or stop for passing deer. Also, be aware that most deer travel in small packs, so when you see one cross the road there will often be another following.
6. Prepare for sun glare.
 Glare from the sun isn't the first driving danger you think of when you think fall, but it's still something to be aware of, especially during morning and evening rush hours. To cope, keep a pair of sunglasses in your car to use during these times, and try to keep your windshield clear and clean as streaks and dirt may cause the glare to intensify.
 7. Be prepared for dark drives.
 In the fall we will "fall back", meaning that it will get darker earlier in the day. That may land on when many of us are commuting home from work. Use caution when driving in the dark as it will make the previous steps a little more difficult to abide by.
As you go into fall, make sure that you are ready for all the season must throw at us, and make sure your vehicle is ready for those obstacles as well. To ensure that you are ready for the season, head into your local Jaguar Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery dealership and visit our service department.