A recent study by Carfax shows that the most dangerous season on New Jersey roads isn’t winter. It’s fall.

New Jersey is one of the top ten states whose crash rates peak in autumn, according to the study. Some of the causes of increased autumn crashes are surprising. Here’s what to know about safety on New Jersey roads in fall – and how to reduce your risk of a collision. 

What Makes Fall Driving So Dangerous?

Several factors combine to make autumn driving more dangerous than winter driving in New Jersey, according to the Carfax study. These include wildlife mating seasons, falling leaves, and earlier evening darkness. 

As daylight decreases, drivers find themselves traveling in the dark more often. Darker roads reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a collision. These risks can be particularly high in the mornings, when many commuters travel in darkness. While the switch to standard time in the fall temporarily increases the amount of morning light, it also disrupts drivers’ sleep schedules, which can lead to more drowsy driving in the morning or evening. 

Decreasing daylight also triggers deer mating season. Deer “in rut,” or looking for a mate, throw caution to the wind as they pursue one another. Deer accustomed to pausing at the roadside may now bolt into traffic as a buck pursues a doe. This change in deer behavior can result in more car-deer collisions, as well as crashes between vehicles as they try to stop suddenly to avoid a collision with a deer. Traveling near sunrise or sunset can be particularly dangerous, as deer are more active just when the angle of the sun makes it harder for drivers to see the road in front of them. 

Falling leaves can also pose challenges for drivers. A vehicle trying to stop on wet leaves may need twice as much space to do so as a vehicle trying to stop on pavement, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Unlike winter snow and ice, which the state is equipped to address as it falls, wet leaves are a hazard that may stay on the roads until they disintegrate – dissolving into a slippery, sloppy mess that can interfere with safe driving. 

Finally, the roads are often busier in fall. The start of school often means that more buses and students are on the roads. More cars are traveling in the early morning as families drop off children at school. When children walk or bike to school, they increase the amount of pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the roads, which can also increase accident risks. 

Autumn Driving Safety Tips for New Jersey

New Jersey drivers can work to reduce their risk of a crash during the autumn months. To improve your safety on the roads:

Leave space and time. Give yourself more time to get to your destination, and leave more space between your vehicle and the one in front. This space gives you a greater stopping distance if you hit wet leaves or ice. It also gives you more time to react if a deer leaps in front of your vehicle or the car in front of you. Giving yourself ample time to travel reduces the urge to speed, which increases your safety on the roads. 

Stay aware of changing sunrise and sunset times – and pack accordingly. Many weather apps include daily information about sunrise and sunset times. When you check the weather, take a look at these times and consider how dark it may be when you leave for work or head home. Don’t take your summer sunglasses out of the car just yet: they may prove useful in the morning or evening when the sun is low. 

Pack your winter car safety gear early. It never hurts to have your winter safety gear on hand well in advance. Pack blankets, a flashlight, food and water, a shovel, flares, and other essential safety gear in your vehicle’s trunk or back seat. You may find these tools useful if a crash occurs – even if the temperatures are still mild. 

Watch the road closely. Deer, schoolchildren, wet leaves, and other hazards can pop up. Commit to avoiding distraction behind the wheel at all costs. 

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Crash

If you’re injured in a car crash this autumn, speak to an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer. The team at Petrillo & Goldberg can help you protect your legal rights and seek the compensation you need. Call us today to learn more.