Safe driving in autumn
In cooperation with the Verkehrsschule Zug, we present various traffic situations under the heading “From the field”. In 2018 we will introduce you to the four seasons with their respective characteristics, pitfalls, and dangers regarding driving.
Sven Meier, President of the Verkehrsschule Zug, provides information on traffic rules and situations. Do you have questions or uncertainties? Do not hesitate to contact him and you will receive competent information from a professional.
Drizzle, poor visibility due to fog or early dusk: Autumn brings a lot of adversity for motorists, which is why special caution is advisable in the third season.
The pitfalls of leaves and frost
While most motorists drive carefully in snow, many drives fast on dirty roads. Wet leaves or earth on the road can cause a real skidding. Your braking distance will also be considerably longer. Potholes, stones, or other obstacles can also be hidden under a blanket of leaves.
Leaves can also cause a further problem if they fall into the ventilation shaft in front of the windscreen and clog the vehicle’s fan. The ventilation in the passenger compartment is then no longer optimal and the windows steam up. It is therefore advisable to regularly remove the foliage from the bodywork.
Depending on the region and weather conditions, the first frost will occur in October. Below 3 degrees Celsius you must always be prepared for slippery conditions. Winter tyres are an advantage not only at frost. Even at low plus temperatures (below 7 degrees Celsius), they offer a much better grip and thus more safety.
Daytime running light/dipped beam
If drivers get into light fog fields, normal daytime running light (headlights only at the front) is no longer sufficient for good visibility. Instead, you should switch on the dipped beam (headlights at the front and rear). Do not rely completely on the automatic lighting system, because it reacts to darkness but not to fog. So, if you have “thick soup”, switch on the dipped beam manually. For very thick fog, fog lamps are the right choice. The rule of thumb “visibility equals driving speed” helps to avoid accidents. If visibility is reduced to less than 50 metres, your speed should not exceed 50 km/h either. The reflector posts at the side of the road, which are usually placed at 50-metre intervals on country roads, serve as orientation.
