Central and Northern New York weather and road conditions change rapidly season to season. Following fall and winter driving safety tips will help keep you safer as you navigate unpredictable driving conditions.
Changing Weather Conditions
Autumn is a damp, wet season for the most part. Rain and fog are common overnight and in the early morning hours and as the temperatures drop, frost will often coat the ground overnight.
Driving In Fog
· When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
· If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights; it is recommended that you use them in foggy situations.
Driving in Freezing Conditions
· Frost on the roadway causes hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas freeze before roadways with ground below them.
Driving On Black Ice
· Black ice is often difficult to see. Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway. Black ice can form when the freezing temperatures on the roads are coumbined with the heat from the car's tires and exhaust. You are most likely to encounter black ice at night or early in the morning when the temperatures drop to their lowest.
· How do you know if you are on Black ice? You’ll first notice that you are on black ice when you feel your car slide or lose traction while driving or attempting to stop. If slight steering seems to generate an amplified response from your vehicle, it is a signal that you may be driving on black ice.
