Autumn is a perfect time of year; the leaves change colors, the smell of apple cider begins to fill the air, and the cooler weather finally starts to come in. But like any season, fall presents some dangers to drivers that don’t necessarily occur during other times of the year. You could be at risk of serious injury because of:

• School traffic, including buses, newly licensed teen drivers, and small children darting out in the roads near their schools
• Heavy rain, which can make roadways slippery
• Road debris, such as fallen leaves or branches, which can cover road markings and potholes, lead driver to swerve around them, and can decrease your vehicle’s traction in wet patches
• Morning fog and changing times for sunrise and sunset, which can interfere with visibility
• Wildlife (such as deer) running into roadways, as autumn nights and mornings often are mating times for animals
• “Leaf peepers,” who travel for miles to check out our gorgeous foliage, and who may not be familiar with the rules of our road

What can you do to avoid the dangers of driving during autumn?

You may notice that many of these dangers are the result of Knoxville’s distracted drivers – people who aren’t paying as much attention as they should. Their distraction puts you at risk of serious injuries in an auto or motorcycle accident, so you should be on high alert this fall when you take to the roadways.

There are things you can do, though, to minimalize or avoid these dangers. For instance, you should:

• Keep an eye on your speed, especially in school zones
• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you
• Clean your windows and mirrors before you start moving
• Pay close and careful attention to changing traffic patterns associated with roadwork or school zones
• Use extra caution when driving near heavily wooded areas during dawn or dusk, as you’re more likely to see wildlife in those times
• Make sure that every part of your vehicle, especially the tire pressure, is in proper working order

You also should keep items such as flashlights, jackets, blankets, and jumper cables in your vehicle, as you never know if you are going to be stranded on a dark, cold night.

Enjoy the autumn weather and drive into the sunset. But watch out for those dangers listed above. If you were in an auto accident and you were injured as a result, you may have grounds for a legal claim. For more information, contact the Knoxville auto accident attorneys at Banks & Jones, or call us at 865-546-2141. We proudly serve Knoxville and other areas of the Volunteer State.