Summer has come and gone, and we are now well into the fall season. For many, this is one of their favorite times of the year. Fall colors and the excitement of the ever-approaching holiday season are just some of the reasons why this is the case.
It’s likely that you’ve spotted the leaves falling from the trees, which can be a breathtaking sight. But is it dangerous for road users?
Fallen leaves can hide potential hazards
There are a number of markings on roads that alert drivers to things they need to know. For instance, a stop sign may be backed up by printing on the road. Fallen leaves could cover this, meaning that it goes unnoticed, and a driver continues rather than coming to a stop
There are also occasions when debris can fall onto the roads. For instance, a large branch from a tree may have been blown off during the windy weather, landing in the middle of the road. Fallen leaves could conceal this, meaning that a driver runs straight into it and gets into an accident.
Leaves can obstruct visibility
Leaves have a habit of getting blowing everywhere, including underneath the windshield wipers of cars. If a driver sets off without first clearing these, they could stick on the windshield when the vehicle is in motion, thus impairing the visibility of the driver.
Fallen leaves are a surprising but very real hazard. Unfortunately, even if you take every possible safety precaution, that doesn’t mean that other drivers will do the same. If you have been injured in an crash that was caused by someone else’s negligence, make sure you look into your legal options.
