Fall Driving Hazards

From wet leaves to the start of deer season, fall weather is on its way and that means fall hazards are as well. Visibility is reduced by fog and heavy precipitation, and roads are slick due to the precipitation and leaves. Fall brings shorter days and longer nights, be on the lookout for nighttime hazards and driver fatigue.

1. Each year, 75% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement and 47% happen during rainfall.1
2. Increase in deer activity where they primarily feed between sunset and sunrise. Slow down and use caution in areas where deer crossing signs are posted.  
3. An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers reported having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days

Fatigue Management

Like drugs or alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgement and increases your risk of a crash. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

One contributing factor that causes fatigue is sleep loss. This is when you do not get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Over time this loss of sleep builds up and creates a sleep debt.

Drowsiness occurs when your body wants you torepay the debt by getting sleep. Causes include such things as changing work schedules and personal life-style choices.