Wet Leaves, Sun Glare and Early Darkness: Fall Driving Hazards on NEPA Roads
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to drive in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the trickiest. The same things that make October and November special, like changing leaves, cool mornings and early sunsets, create hazards that catch even experienced drivers off guard. Here's what to watch for on NEPA roads this season, and what to do if someone else's carelessness causes a crash.
Wet leaves can be as slick as ice
Fallen leaves pile up along curbs, on back roads and on bridges. When they get wet, they turn slippery and can hide potholes, painted lines and the edge of the road. Slow down on leaf-covered pavement, leave extra space before braking, and take curves gently, especially on wooded roads.
Sun glare at rush hour
As the days get shorter, the sun sits low in the sky during the morning and evening commute. Driving east in the morning or west in the evening can leave you nearly blind for a few seconds. Keep sunglasses in the car, clean the inside of your windshield, use your visor, and give yourself more following distance. A driver blinded by glare still has a duty to drive safely, and "the sun was in my eyes" doesn't automatically excuse a crash.
Fog and frost along the river
Cool mornings bring fog to the Susquehanna and low-lying roads, and the first frosts often show up on bridges and overpasses before anywhere else. Use low beams in fog, slow down, and be extra careful on bridges early in the day. For what happens once winter really arrives, see who is at fault in a snow or ice crash.
Deer are on the move
October through December is the peak of deer activity, especially at dawn and dusk. See our post on what happens if you hit a deer in Luzerne County.
Darker evenings, more pedestrians at risk
When the clocks change in early November, the evening commute moves into darkness overnight. Kids walking home, people out for an evening walk and trick-or-treaters are harder to see. See our Halloween and clock change safety guide and hit while walking or biking.
School buses and farm equipment
School is back in full swing, so watch for buses making frequent stops. See Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law. On rural roads, harvest season also means slow-moving tractors and farm equipment, so be patient and pass only where it's safe.
A quick fall checklist for your car
Replace worn wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
Check that headlights, brake lights and turn signals all work.
Check tire tread and pressure, since cold mornings lower tire pressure.
Keep sunglasses, an ice scraper and a flashlight in the car.
If you're hurt in a crash
Get medical care, even if you feel fine at first, because some injuries show up days later. See delayed symptoms after an accident. Get the police report, take photos, and be careful what you say to the other driver's insurance company. Our after-accident checklist walks you through the first steps, and our car accident page explains how claims work in Pennsylvania.
Have questions after a crash? The NEPA Injury Help Center has answers to common questions, or you can request a free consultation with Joyce, Carmody & Moran.
