5 Things To Watch Out For When Driving During Spring

We often think that dangerous driving conditions fade out with the end of winter, but every season presents its own challenges when it comes to staying safe on the road! In fact, statistics show that January, February, and March are the safest months for driving, whereas the warmer months, when people start to become overconfident in their driving skills, are statistically the most dangerous. With that in mind, keep reading for 5 reminders, some of which you may haven’t even thought of, to keep you safe when driving this spring!

1. Watch out for animals!
   • This is something you may have already noticed when driving to work early in the morning; as the weather gets warmer, more and more animals come out of hibernation! Most animals will be out of hibernation by the end April, so stay vigilant for animals on the move. On another note, the peak times for animal activity are dawn and dusk. These also happen to be times when many people travel to and from work, so be extra careful on your commutes!
2. Watch for pedestrians!
   • As the weather gets nicer, more people like to get outside and move! The sunshine and rising temperatures inspire many people to become more active and walk/bike to their destinations. With this in mind, watch for people walking, running, or biking, on or near the road!
3. Be mindful of rainy days!
   • As we’ve seen so far this spring, we’re in for a bunch of rainy days! As most people know, rainy conditions make driving dangerous. There are many ways to improve our rainy weather driving techniques, and there are many articles and infographics on the Internet dedicated to this topic, so be sure to read up on these for the season. In addition, icy windshields may have done a number on your windshield wipers over the winter, so make sure you have a fresh enough pair to adequately clear your windshield during a rainstorm!
4. Avoid potholes!
   • Spring is the prime season for potholes! Due to a combination of the high precipitation and fluctuating temperatures that come with spring, potholes are likely to form on the road this time of year. When rainwater seeps into the cracks of the road, and the unpredictable weather repeatedly freezes and thaws the moisture, the cracks deepen and the pavement crumbles, creating potholes. Hitting potholes can cause damage to your tires, wheel rims, suspension, or alignment, so make sure to avoid them! Don’t tailgate other vehicles, so you have more of a chance to spot and react to potholes up ahead!
5. Watch out for highway maintenance!
   • As the weather becomes more tolerable, and more potholes pop up, lots of roadwork starts up again. Spring is the time when road workers repair all the wear and tear on the road from winter and start new big projects. Keeping this in mind, always keep an eye out for orange signs and vests; stay vigilant and protect road workers’ lives!

Thank you for reading, and let us know in the comments if you have any other tips for safer spring driving!

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