How Do I...Fall Driving Safety & Recycling Fallen Leaves

Fall Driving Safety

Now that it’s September, it’s time to brush up on your fall driving. Here are some safety tips to help keep you and others safe this fall:

Back-to-school traffic – Be on the lookout for school buses and more cars on the road especially during before- and after-school hours. There may also be an increase in pedestrians so follow the speed limits and pay attention to crosswalks.

Leaves – Although the changing leaves can be beautiful, they can be deadly. Leaves that end up in the street and on pavements make the surfaces slick and can obscure traffic lines, potholes, and other hazards. They become even more hazardous when it rains so drive carefully.

Frost - During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night. This can cause morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun Glare - Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. It can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. When it does, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if the light is red or green.

Deer - The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Recycle Fallen Leaves

Autumn means falling leaves will soon be all over your property which can be an annoyance to many homeowners and can cause a safety issue when wet. However, these same leaves are great for improving the quality of the soil on your property so that come spring, your flowers will be well-nourished and will grow well.

If you compost, you can simply add the leaves to your compost bin or pile. They are the perfect ratio of carbon and nitrogen that your yard needs.

If you do not compost, you can use your lawn mower to break the leaves up into small enough pieces that they will not block the sun and are too small to rake. This will allow the pieces to reach the soil and, over the winter months, they will release rich nutrients that will nourish your lawn.