5 Fall Driving Tips for California Drivers
What if your favorite season turned into a nightmare at a moment’s notice?
Many of us look forward to fall because the blazing California temperatures begin to lower, but the season brings with it something much scarier than Halloween: increased driving dangers. If you’re not careful, you might end up having to file an automobile insurance claim (which often feels like more of a trick than a treat).
If you know what the new threats on the road are, you can better prepare for them and kick back with candy rather than a claim. Ready to stay safe this season? Keep reading to discover our top fall driving tips for California drivers!
1. Put More Space Between You and Other Drivers
Chances are that you already put a generous amount of space between yourself and other drivers on the California roads. But when it comes to driver safety this fall, we always recommend that you give yourself even more space than usual.
Why is that? Fall brings a combination of lower visibility (because it gets dark earlier) and more rain. On any given night, both you and other drivers will have difficulty seeing where you’re going and even more difficulty coming to a stop. By putting more space between yourself and others, you can avoid a sudden pump of the brakes that is likely to leave you hydroplaning.
2. Be Extra Cautious Around School Zones
You probably already slow down and apply extra caution when you’re near a school zone. If you’re serious about driving safely in autumn, then you need to apply more caution than usual once this season comes to California.
The reason is that school zones contain even more unexpected threats than you might be aware of. There will be kids crossing, which always leads to unpredictability. There will also be high schoolers and teenagers driving for the first time, so you need to be extra careful around schools in the afternoon or risk getting hit by one of them!
3. Watch for Animals (They’re Everywhere This Season)
It’s always important to watch for animals on the road, but you need to be extra careful in the fall. And the reason for that can be summed up in one word—deer.
Deer are far likelier to be on the road in the month of November than at any other point during the year. These creatures lead the pack when it comes to animal collisions in California. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, you’re 3.5 times likelier to hit an animal in November, and because of the mating season, most of them are likely to be deer (mule deer, specifically, in California). Be sure to apply extra caution when driving, especially on highways!
4. Check and Maintain Your Headlights
Due to the low visibility in the fall, California drivers need to turn their headlights on a bit earlier, especially around Halloween. To ensure Halloween safety for both you and the legion of trick-or-treaters around you, it’s important to check and maintain your headlights ahead of the season.
The good news is that it’s likelier for you to lose only one headlight rather than both at once. The bad news is that fall is probably the worst season for your nighttime driving visibility to be cut in half. Be sure to check those headlights and (if needed) fix or replace them so you can see your fellow California drivers before it’s too late.
5. Keep an Eye on Your Tire Pressure
As we said before, many in California look forward to the fall because the temperatures finally start to lower. If you want to fully enjoy driving around in this cooler weather, you need to regularly monitor your tire pressure and the general health of your tires.
For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, your tires lose a pound per square inch of pressure. This can cause tires to pop when you least expect them to, and it may also negatively affect your driving in California’s fall season.
Stay Safe with Low-Cost Car Insurance in California All Year
Now you know our top tips for fall driving in California. But do you know how to protect yourself and your car all year round?
Here at Cost-U-Less, we help drivers just like yourself get insurance that feels like a treat well after Halloween is over. Ready to protect yourself from unexpected dangers on the road this fall and beyond? Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast and free car insurance quote online. You can also find a nearby office and visit us in person.
