• The fall season brings changes to the climate of

the Southwest, and with the shifting temperatures

come significant alterations in traffic conditions.

Residents should keep in mind that they may need

to adjust their driving habits during these months.

Let’s take a look at tips for staying safe on the road

in the fall.

• Glare from the sun creates issues for drivers during the early fall season. A significant number of auto accidents stem from temporary blinding caused by sunrays.

• Due to the position of the Earth relative to the sun at this time of year, drivers who travel down streets with an east-west orientation will often find themselves staring into the sun.

• Consider buying a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses to keep in the car.

• Deer tend to be most active in the fall,

and their unwillingness to obey traffic

signs poses a threat to motorists.

• There are an estimated 80,000 mule

deer across the state of New Mexico.

• They’re most commonly seen at sunrise

and twilight. Keep a lookout for them

around these times.

• Fall is when kids return to school.

While driving, it’s important to be

aware of the presence of children,

especially smaller ones who may lack

sufficient awareness of their

surroundings.

• Due to school hours, kids are most

likely to be out and about in the

morning and afternoon, while walking

to and from class.

• One simple trick to cope with sun glare

during the fall season is to wash your

windshield. Make sure you clean both

sides.

• Sunlight tends to highlight all the dirt and

blotches present on the windshield. This

can obstruct your vision.

• Temperature variations during the fall

season causes tires to contract and

expand. As a result, your car’s tires

may lose air.

• Underinflated tires are a road hazard,

as they generate more friction than

correctly inflated ones. This increases

the odds of a tire blowout.

• Use a gauge to check your tire

pressure on a periodic basis. Don’t

depend on a visual inspection—an

underinflated tire may look

deceptively normal.

• The Southwest doesn’t see a lot of rain, but the

intermittent precipitation in the fall can create

hazards on the road.

• When rainwater mixes with oil that has been

collecting on the road for a while, the result is a

slippery driving surface. Areas with more regular

rainfall tend not to have this problem, as the

precipitation routinely washes away these oils.

• Be sure to drive cautiously in these conditions.

• During the fall, it’s not uncommon for New

Mexico residents to be subject to a “Dense

Fog Advisory.” This indicates road conditions

where visibility has been reduced to a quarter

of a mile or less.

• In foggy conditions, be sure to maintain a

safe distance from other cars on the road.

• The dropping temperatures of the fall

months can trigger several mechanical

issues.

• Colder weather strains your car battery.

Be aware that it is more likely to give out

during this time.

• This season also sees a lot of stalled

engines. You may wish to get a tune-up to

prevent difficulties.

Desert Sun Auto Group is a

leading automotive dealership in

the state of New Mexico, offering

a wide selection of new and used

Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler,

Cadillac, GMC, Dodge, Jeep,

RAM, and Toyota vehicles. The

dealership serves the Greater

New Mexico and West Texas

areas.

www.desertsunmotors.com