Time for a Change

Summer seems to be over. Of course, it could be 90 degrees when I wake up tomorrow, but the calendar tells us it's fall. So let's embrace it, shall we.

Driving in the summer months is probably the easiest as far as conditions are concerned. Aside from the random rainstorm with it's varying degrees of severity, the overall driving environment is pretty accommodating. Winter tends to be the polar opposite (no pun intended), but like summer the risks are clear and well known. Spring and fall are the sneaky seasons when it comes to driving, so let's dive in to some of the upcoming seasonal challenges.

First is lighting, and more specifically...daylight. The most obvious change as we head through fall is the changing amount of daylight. Although daylight starts to shrink beginning in June, it becomes more noticeable at this time of year. While at the height of summer, many of us wake up and go to sleep while it is still relatively light, the winter solstice flips that script entirely. This means less daylight during the busiest driving times, and less daylight means roadways filled with people seeing less of their driving environment. In addition, as we age our eyes need more light to see things clearly. People in their 60s typically need three times more light to see as clearly as they did in their 20s. Another issue with light is the angle of sun in the sky. As we move further from summer, the angle of the sun is lower and seems to be in our eyes longer during morning and evening drives. Good sunglasses and using your vehicle's sun visors are the best remedy at your disposal, but you should still reduce your speed when the sun is hitting you in the face.

With the charges in available light, drivers should remember that pedestrians are still out and about after dark. People walking and children playing on or near roads and streets may be harder to see when they are dressed in dark clothing. Be extremely vigilant near schools, parks, and other places where people may gather.

Fall is also "leaf season". Natures artistic beauty is on full display, with trees painted in various shades of red, orange, and yellow. This show is so captivating that some people slow down to visually take it all in, often oblivious to the fact that they share the road with other drivers. We need to be on the lookout for "leaf peepers", especially in more rural areas. Another less appreciated effect of leaves in our driving environment is how they form a slippery carpet between tires and the roadway. Drivers need to use extra caution when driving through heavily wooded areas at this time of year, and especially when it's raining or snowing since wet leaves can create a surface as slippery as ice. As if these two issues didn't give us enough to worry about, we also have those leaf piles on the side of residential streets. In areas where trees are prevalent, leaf piles can be substantial and hide many hazards. Drivers should be cautious in areas where roadside leaf piles are present.

With the change in seasons come a change in weather. Most drivers have gotten used to dry roads over the summer with occasional rain mixed in, but autumn brings two more elements to the party; snow and ice. These are typically rare in the early part of the fall season, but they become more frequent as we move toward the end of the year. The ground usually keeps roads from freezing during early frost or snow events, but as the air becomes cold more frequently, the chances of frozen roadways increases significantly. And always remember the BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES FREEZE FIRST!

Let's face it, if you are an experienced driver, none of this is new information. Yet OML Worldwide Transportation takes nothing for granted, including client safety. For this reason, we send constant reminders to our chauffeurs to be on the lookout for these and other hazards, and send notifications to our driver team when conditions warrant. We also have quarterly training programs that address seasonal hazards, with focus on the most serious conditions that would present themselves in winter, spring, summer, and fall. Our commitment to safety spans all season, and tries to address as many possible solutions to driving hazards as possible. That is one thing that will never change.