Key Takeaways:
As the seasons change, so do the conditions truck drivers face on the road.
Fall brings shorter days, unpredictable weather, heavier traffic around holidays, and unique hazards that can challenge even the most experienced drivers.
At Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we’ve been helping drivers succeed for more than 70 years. That experience gives us a front-row seat to the seasonal changes that impact drivers the most.
In this guide, we'll give you the run down all things driving in autumn, so you can avoid surprises and stay safe behind the wheel.
Driving in the fall requires a different mindset than in summer. The roads look the same, but hidden risks can catch drivers off guard if they’re not paying attention. By being proactive, you’ll be ready for whatever the season throws at you.
By early August, sunset is already happening before 8 p.m. local time in several major cities like Chicago, New York City, and Denver. By the end of September, daylight will be shorter by an hour or more for many parts of the U.S.
What does that mean for truckers? Confirm your headlights and auxiliary lights are working — you’ll likely do more low-light and night driving this time of year and through the winter months.
Shorter daylight hours have an even greater impact on heavy haul drivers transporting over-dimensional (OD) freight. While regulation and permit language varies from state to state, OD travel is typically restricted to daylight hours.
Drivers hauling OD freight will therefore have less viable travel time in their day, which may require them to re-structure their days to ensure they continue to use their hours of service (HOS) efficiently.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA), wet leaves on the roadway can be as slippery as ice, which means autumn driving conditions can be as dangerous as winter roads.
Falling autumn leaves look beautiful, but their effect on the roadway is anything but. A thin layer of water or ice over fallen leaves is all it takes to increase a driver's safe stopping distance by 250 percent, per the NHSA.
These tips will help you stay safe when hauling on leaf-strewn roads:
Autumn weather reminds us of classic Halloween movie settings: thick fog, frosty breezes, and tricks of the light. Unfortunately for truck drivers, these atmospheric elements make your job more challenging.
In the fall months, fog is common in the morning and evenings, especially near rivers and low-lying areas. This can reduce visibility, which may cause drivers to misjudge distances.
Safe driving in foggy conditions will require the use of your low-beam headlights (to prevent glare and bounce-back), slowing down, and increasing your following distance.
As temps lower overnight in the fall, frost may settle onto your windshield and mirrors — and onto the roadway. This can create dangerous driving conditions in much the same way as ice or wet leaves.
Allow extra time in your morning routine to thoroughly defrost your windshield, mirrors, and lights. You may need to manually scrape frost or ice off these surfaces, so be sure you have on adequate cold weather protection like gloves, a hat, etc.
Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads are especially susceptible to frost, so practice the same caution you would when driving on ice. Reduce your speed and avoid sudden braking or sharp, jerky steering.
And remember, in the right conditions, patches of black ice can form in the autumn months. Know when black ice is most likely to occur (after a light rain or overnight) and stay aware of the road surface when driving. Check out our black ice FAQ for more detailed information on spotting black ice and reacting safely, but when in doubt, drive with caution.
Finally, the low sun angle in fall can cause an intense — and dangerous — glare during morning and evening commutes.
A flash of glare can temporarily blind drivers, so keep your windshield clean, wear polarized sunglasses, and use your sun visor to maintain visibility.
Be conscious of when sunrise and sunset are (and what direction you're driving in) so you won't be caught off-guard.
While road conditions and decreased daylight are top concerns for truck drivers in the fall, there are several other elements that make hauling in autumn more challenging. Keep these in mind as you trip plan and take any necessary precautions:
Holidays bring a unique set of challenges for truck drivers. Even holidays that aren't necessarily considered traditionally high-traffic days (like Halloween) can change how people drive and where they go.
Knowing what to expect helps you prepare, protect yourself, and make smart choices on the road. Here's what you'll need to be aware of around the fall holidays:
Fall driving brings a mix of shorter days, unpredictable weather, holiday congestion, and wildlife hazards. These factors all complicate your already complex job, and without proper foresight and consideration, can make things frustrating at best and dangerous at worst.
The good news is you've already begun taking the necessary actions just by reading this article. By learning about the changes this season ushers in and following our tips — like staying alert, planning ahead, and preparing both your truck and yourself — you’ll be ready to handle these seasonal challenges safely.
And as winter approaches, your proactivity will set you up for success in the toughest season of the year. Check out our podcast episode all about winter driving, featuring real ATS safety managers, to hear their insights and learn from real winter driving incidents.
You'll come away with actionable advice on having a smoother winter behind the wheel. Stay safe out there!