Fall Driving Safety: How To Navigate Safely in Damp and Foggy Seasons

Following fall driving safety tips, such as slowing down and keeping your car well maintained, can help protect you and others from seasonal hazards while you’re behind the wheel. Common fall driving risks include rainy weather, longer nights, fog and wet leaves that can reduce visibility or traction and make car accidents more likely.

Fall driving safety means adjusting how you drive to changing autumn road conditions. Drivers should slow down, increase their following distance and watch carefully for hazards such as wildlife, school children and wet leaves on the road.

Drivers taking to the road this autumn should prepare for reduced visibility, slippery roads and other seasonal hazards by practicing safe driving techniques and keeping their vehicles properly maintained. Below, we’ll explain the most common autumn driving hazards and provide practical fall driving safety tips to help you prepare for or avoid them.

Why Fall Driving Can Be Risky

Many road hazards become more prevalent during the fall, such as wet leaves, fog, glare from the sun and road-crossing deer. These fall hazards raise the risk of collisions, serious injuries and subsequent car insurance claims.

In 2024, the motor-vehicle death rate per 100 million vehicle miles peaked in September, making it the highest-risk month of the year by that measure.^[1]

The Biggest Fall Driving Hazards

The change of seasons from summer to fall often brings new weather and other environmental hazards you should be aware of when you get behind the wheel, which may require driving a bit slower or taking additional precautions. Below, we’ll cover a few of the most prominent fall driving hazards to keep in mind when you take to the road this autumn.

Wet Leaves

Driving over wet leaves is similar to driving over ice, and the leaves can cover up pavement markings, making it harder to stay in your lane and out of the way of other vehicles.^[2] You need to drive slowly and keep a considerable distance between yourself and other cars during and after rainstorms because the road can become slippery — especially if there are several fallen leaves on the ground.

Rain After Dry Summers

Oil can build up on roads over time and, if left to accumulate for too long, can make the pavement slippery after the first rain. Regular rainfall helps keep oil from sticking for too long, but after a dry summer, the road may be much slicker than usual, increasing the risk of an accident. Rain after only two days of dry weather can increase the risk of an accident by 3.7%, and a long dry summer can raise the risk even higher.^[3]

Fog

Radiation fog is most common throughout the United States during fall and winter, and it can make driving more challenging because visibility is limited.^[4] Drive slowly through fog and use your low-beam headlights. Turning them on also ensures your taillights are on, making it easier for drivers behind you to see you.

Fog lights are an even better option if you have them. These should be situated lower than your main headlights so they can illuminate the road beneath the fog. Conversely, avoid using your high-beam headlights because fog can reflect bright light back at you, making it even harder to see the road ahead.

Early Darkness

There are fewer daylight hours as it starts to get darker earlier during the fall, meaning you may end up driving in the dark more often than you did during the summer. Like when it’s raining, you should drive more slowly and stay a greater distance from other cars when it’s dark outside because it may take you longer to react to visual information when it’s harder to see. Taking extra caution on a dark road is critical for your safety, as 50% of all traffic fatalities occur after the sun goes down and visibility becomes more difficult.^[5]

Make sure your headlights are functioning properly before you hit the road, use your high beams if there are no other cars nearby and, if possible, try to avoid two-lane roads where your vision may be obstructed by the headlights of cars in oncoming traffic. You should also drive especially slowly on neighborhood roads and keep a close eye out for pedestrians.

Deer and Wildlife

Animal collisions are most common from October to December, mainly because deer move more during the hunting and mating seasons. November sees the highest rate for deer collision claims, with drivers 3.5 times more likely to strike a deer during the fall month. Be extra cautious during sunrise and sunset, when deer are most active, and watch for deer crossing signs to know when to be on the lookout. Remember that deer tend to travel in herds; if you come across a deer in the road, watch for others nearby.^[6][7]

Other smaller animals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, may also frequent roads as they gather food in preparation for winter. Avoid swerving if you see a deer or other animal in the road, which can confuse them and increase the risk of an accident — instead, brake firmly in your lane and wait for wildlife to leave the road.^[6]

School Zones

With students returning to school during the fall season, you must be prepared to slow down in school zones. Be especially vigilant right before and after school hours — when inexperienced teenage drivers are likely to be on the road.

Be extra careful near bus stops and be on the lookout for children suddenly crossing the road, as they may be in blind spots behind other cars where they can’t see oncoming traffic. Stop whenever a school bus in front of you has extended its stop sign and has red flashing lights. School bus laws state that attempting to pass a bus that has extended its stop sign could result in a significant fine or license suspension.^[6]

Fall Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Below is a list of car maintenance tips to consider for the fall season:^[8]

• Check your tire pressure daily, as temperature changes can cause tires to expand and contract, resulting in unexpected pressure loss and worse traction on the road. Keep a portable tire inflator for emergencies, along with roadside assistance coverage, in case you get a flat.
• Check your tire tread to ensure you have enough traction to brake properly. If your tread has only 2/32 of an inch left, you should replace your tires.^[6]
• Clean your windshield both inside and out to help prevent glare.
• Avoid using wax on your car, which could cause a blinding reflection from the sun into your eyes while driving.
• Ensure your headlights are functioning properly.
• Install all-season windshield wipers, as fall weather can be unpredictable.
• Ensure you’re stocked with an emergency kit with first-aid supplies to treat injuries after potential accidents.

Defensive Driving Tips for Fall Season

In general, you’ll want to drive a bit slower and increase your following distance during the fall season to account for slicker roads and more inclement weather. Below are a few defensive driving tips to help you stay safer this autumn:^[9]

1. Slow down when driving over wet leaves.
2. Brake gently and avoid swerving to prevent skidding or hydroplaning.
3. Increase the space between you and other drivers.
4. Understand your route and plan for inclement weather.
5. Scan several seconds ahead on the road for potential obstructions or wildlife.
6. Pass vehicles with a safe distance between you and them.
7. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones or loud conversations with passengers.
8. Leave early to account for potential road closures or weather issues so you aren’t rushing.
9. Stay calm on the road and don’t panic if you run into bad weather or poor road conditions.

Does Car Insurance Cover Fall Driving Accidents?

Car insurance will typically cover damage you’re liable for causing to property or other individuals after an accident this fall, up to your coverage limits. However, it won’t cover physical damage to your own vehicle, which requires collision or comprehensive coverage.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your vehicle after you strike another vehicle or stationary object, up to your coverage limit. For example, if you skid over wet leaves and slide into a parked car or tree, collision coverage could help pay for repairs to the vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle from various perils, including when you’re struck by wildlife. For example, if a deer leaps into your vehicle on the road, you’d need comprehensive coverage to help pay for potential repairs.^[10]

What To Do Immediately After an Accident in Fall

Immediately after you get into a car accident during the fall, you should:^[11]

1. Check yourself and passengers for injuries
2. Move the car to a safe place off the road, if possible
3. Call the police to have an accident report filled out
4. Turn off your vehicle and wait for assistance
5. Exchange information with any other drivers involved in the accident, including contact information and insurance information
6. Document the accident with pictures and eyewitness accounts, ensuring you copy details like the location
7. Contact your insurance company and start the claims process
8. If necessary, report the accident to your state’s DMV

Fall Driving Safety Checklist

Read on for a few safety tips to keep in mind when driving this fall:^[8]

• Be wary of black ice, which forms when wet roads freeze after sharp overnight temperature drops and can be difficult to spot.
• Set headlights to low instead of high when driving in foggy weather.
• Leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to suddenly stop.
• Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car to help prevent sun glare from affecting your driving.
• Drive slower than you might normally, especially if you live in an area with heavy deer populations.
• Drive slower and brake more gently while on bridges, as they tend to freeze faster than other parts of the road.
• Keep frost clear from your windows.

Fall Driving Safety at a Glance

Below is the essential information you should know about fall driving safety:

• Fall driving safety is essential to avoid hazards that can occur during the changing season, such as wet leaves, fog and wildlife on the road.
• Drive with extra caution at night and watch for children in school zones.
• Regularly check your vehicle’s tire tread and pressure to ensure you have enough traction on the road.
• Practice defensive driving during the fall, such as driving slower behind other cars and avoiding swerving to prevent skidding on wet roads.
• Consider purchasing physical damage coverage to protect yourself from costly repairs if you get into a fall accident.

How To Ensure You and Your Car Are Covered for Fall Season

To ensure you’re covered for fall season driving, check with your auto insurance provider to see if you have enough coverage. If you don’t already have physical damage insurance, it may be worth it due to the increased risk of damage to your car from accidents. Check with three to five different insurance companies to get affordable rates for the coverage you need.

You’ll typically need to gather quotes from each insurance company individually, but you can speed things up by using an insurance marketplace like SmartFinancial. After answering a brief questionnaire, we’ll connect you with a licensed insurance agent to help you get the auto insurance you need for this fall season. Click here for free car insurance quotes today!