In autumn, the risk of accidents on the road increases rapidly. Short days and long nights make traffic very dark and confusing. The police registered more than 210,000 accidents from October to December last year.
When beginning of autumn applies the September 1st to November 30th and always lasts three months. Then the winter time starts. There are also a particularly large number of traffic jams during the autumn holidays. You can check the exact holiday times in the school holiday calendar.
A dangerous one Lubricating film of leaves and clay calls on motorists and motorcyclists in the coming autumn weeks country roads out. According to the ADAC, there is an increased risk of slipping on road sections in particular shade or in the woodsbecause there the asphalt also longer during the day wet stays and get along with wet autumn leaves an insidious lubricating film can form.
The corn is harvested at the end of September. Because the nights are already damp by then and the probability of rain increases, the harvesters bring the muddy soil from the fields onto the road. There is a threat of the so-called ‘farmers’ black ice’. For all road users this means: Danger of slipping! Fog, leaves and night frost also make the road surface slippery.
The causes of accidents in the fall: Fog, drizzle, poor visibility in the early Dark, slippery roads through wet leaves and suddenly occurring ice ground frost.
While the car comes to a standstill after around 35 to 40 meters at 100 km/h on a dry road, the value can triple on a wet road covered with leaves. In addition, obstacles such as deep potholes disappear under the leaf cover.
Road users should also pay special attention to slow and oversized vehicles Harvesters and agricultural vehicles throw. On the one hand, because attachments such as plows and maize choppers are often not sufficiently marked and sometimes protrude far into the lane of oncoming traffic. On the other hand, because so-called ‘farmer’s slippery ice’ can occur. This forms when agricultural vehicles dirty the road after being used in the field. Damp clumps of clay and earth can the roadway quickly into a slide transform. Lost crops represent an additional risk.
It can get dangerous for drivers and motorcyclists when making evasive or overtaking manoeuvres. Combine harvesters or loader wagons often take up more than half of the road. Wide Harvesters also have one when turning larger radius, which many road users underestimate. When in doubt, it’s better to overtake than to take risks take off the gas and the heavy equipment follow patiently. Agricultural vehicles usually drive off the busy roads after a short time anyway.
Here are the ATU tips on how to get through the fall safely:
Driver tips for autumn
- Beware of slippery roads: Many roads are wet in autumn and often slippery due to leaves. At low temperatures, the first frosts can also occur. Especially in the area of bridges and in forest areas, there is a risk of slippery roads, especially in the morning. It is therefore important for drivers to drive with foresight and to keep a sufficient distance from other vehicles.
- Switch to winter tires in good time: Even at temperatures below seven degrees, winter tires have clear advantages over summer tires. Due to better adhesion, they have a significantly shorter braking distance. But the tires must also have enough tread: according to experts, the tread depth on winter tires should be at least four millimeters. With a lower tread depth, the driving characteristics and grip are significantly reduced, which leads to an increase in the braking distance.
- Ensure a clear view: At the first sign of cool weather, drivers should pour windscreen cleaner with antifreeze into the wiper system. It is also advisable to check the wiper blades. If these are already showing streaks, they should be renewed.
- Check battery: Without a fully functional battery, the engine will fail in the cold. Because the car needs more electricity in the cold season than in the summer due to the increased use of lights, fans or seat heating. Therefore, the battery should be checked before starting the colder season.
- See and be seen thanks to light: Good vision means more security. Low beam, high beam and daytime running lights must therefore be just as functional as fog lights, brake lights or indicators. Due to the poor visibility and weather conditions in autumn, drivers should generally drive with their dipped headlights switched on. To be seen better in fog, the rear fog light should be switched on. However, this is only permitted if visibility is less than 50 meters.
- Use air conditioning even in cold temperatures: Air conditioning can also help at lower temperatures. Because it removes moisture from the air, so that fogged windows are quickly cleared again.
In the area of the entrances and exits of fields, road users must also expect heavily soiled roadways caused by agricultural vehicles. When it rains, clods of earth turn the streets into slides, which can be particularly fatal for scooter and motorbike riders, TÜV Rheinland warns. Extreme caution is required at night with humidity and temperatures around freezing point. Dangers lurk especially on bridges or in forest aisles ground frost, because bridges are cooled simultaneously from above and below. In the forest, temperatures can drop below zero, so that a treacherous layer of frost can form on the slopes.
Motorist seasons
- Spring March 1st to May 31st
- Summer June 1st to August 31st
- Fall September 1st to November 30th
- Winter December 1st to late February
The 5 Plaggen for drivers in autumn
- Poor visibility due to fog
- Longer braking distances due to leaves on the road
- Heavy rain and aquaplaning
- Deer crossing and poor visibility
- Flat tires & strong cross winds
In autumn, the driver must also switch his car to winter tires. The so-called O-to-O rule applies here: the car should be equipped with winter tires from October to Easter. They are essential in the cold season, as summer tires quickly lose traction on snow-covered surfaces.
“Only one thing helps in autumn: slow down and adapt to the weather conditions, because the braking distance is drastically longer on dirty roads.”
Hans-Ulrich Sander, motor vehicle expert from TÜV Rheinland
To get a clear view when the weather is bad, we recommend cleaning the headlights regularly and checking the wiper blades of the windscreen wipers and replacing them if necessary. The windshield should also be freed from the inner lubricating film that causes light reflections, especially in the dark.