Turn Seasonal Risks into Safety Wins: Your Fleet’s Fall Playbook

Originally published in Fleet Management Weekly 10/15/24

By Sarah Bechtold, eDriving

October 2, 2024

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, fleet managers face a unique set of seasonal challenges. Fall ushers in shorter days, unpredictable weather, and the added risk of holiday distractions. For managers of small to medium-sized fleets, this time of year requires extra vigilance to ensure drivers are prepared for the hazards that come with the changing season.

While Halloween decorations may line the streets and holiday traffic picks up, fall is a critical time to focus on safety protocols that can help your drivers avoid common seasonal risks. By preparing your fleet for the specific challenges of autumn, you can reduce crashes and ensure smoother operations through the rest of the year.

Here are some key fall hazards to watch out for and tips on how to mitigate them:

1. Leaf-Covered Roads: The Hidden Hazard
The beauty of fall foliage can quickly turn into a hazard when wet leaves cover the roads, making them as slick as ice. When paired with unpredictable weather, these road conditions can catch drivers by surprise, reducing traction and making stopping distances longer. 

What to do: Train your drivers to recognize the risks of leaf-covered roads, encouraging them to reduce their speed and avoid sudden braking. Maintaining proper tire tread is essential to help drivers maintain control on slick surfaces. It’s also important to remind drivers that fallen leaves can obscure road markings, potholes, and other hazards, so a heightened sense of caution is critical. 

2. Unpredictable Fall Weather: Rain, Fog, and Early Snow
Fall is known for its unpredictable weather patterns, which can create dangerous driving conditions. From heavy rain to early snowstorms, and the thick fog that often blankets the roads, autumn weather demands that drivers be prepared for a variety of challenges. 

What to do: Equip your vehicles with emergency kits, including blankets, flashlights, and reflective gear, and ensure that windshield wipers, tires, and brakes are in peak condition. Drivers should be instructed to adjust their driving speed and increase their following distance in poor weather conditions. In fog, drivers should use low beams to avoid reflection and maintain visibility. 

3. Increasing Darkness and Reduced Visibility
With the end of daylight-saving time and shorter daylight hours, drivers will find themselves on the road in low-light conditions more often. Additionally, early morning fog and mist can decrease visibility, making it harder for drivers to react to sudden changes on the road.

What to do: Equip your vehicles with fully functioning headlights, taillights, and fog lights, and ensure that drivers are regularly cleaning their windshields and mirrors for maximum visibility. Encourage your drivers to use low beams in foggy conditions and to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Slower driving speeds and greater caution are essential in low-light and foggy conditions. 

4. Wildlife on the Move
Fall is prime mating season for deer and other wildlife, and their increased activity leads to a spike in animal-related crashes, especially during dawn and dusk. Colliding with wildlife not only causes significant vehicle damage but can also lead to dangerous situations for drivers.

What to do: Remind your drivers to be extra vigilant when driving through rural or wooded areas, particularly in early morning or late evening. Slowing down in areas with frequent deer crossings and using high beams when appropriate can help spot animals before they become a hazard. Emphasize that if an animal crosses the road, braking is better than swerving to avoid losing control. 

5. Halloween Pedestrians and Distractions
Fall decorations, from spooky Halloween setups to early holiday lights, can easily catch a driver’s eye. Additionally, the increase in pedestrians—whether trick-or-treating or holiday shopping—adds another layer of risk, particularly in busy areas. The excitement of Halloween brings more foot traffic to residential areas, especially around trick-or-treat hours between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Costumed pedestrians—particularly children—may not be easily visible to drivers, especially if they’re wearing dark clothing or masks that obstruct their vision. 

What to do: Reinforce defensive driving strategies with your fleet, particularly when traveling through neighborhoods or near schools. Remind drivers to slow down and stay alert for pedestrians who may dart across the road unexpectedly. They should also be cautious in areas where homes are heavily decorated, as inflatables or lightweight decorations could obstruct the road or blow into traffic lanes. 

6. Fatigue from Shorter Days and Holiday Stress
The shorter days and seasonal changes in routine can take a toll on drivers. As daylight hours shrink and the holiday season ramps up, drivers may feel fatigued or under pressure to meet tight schedules, leading to a rise in drowsy or distracted driving. 

What to do: Encourage your drivers to prioritize rest and take breaks as needed, especially during long hauls or late-night drives. Implement mandatory rest breaks and remind drivers that it’s okay to pull over if they’re feeling tired. Creating a culture of safety where drivers feel comfortable reporting fatigue can help prevent crashes. 

7. Back-to-School Traffic and Holiday Congestion
With schools back in session and the holiday season approaching, there’s a noticeable increase in traffic. School zones become congested during peak hours, and delivery schedules start to ramp up as businesses prepare for the holiday rush. This can lead to frustration, delays, and dangerous driving behaviors.

What to do: Help your drivers plan for the extra traffic by building in buffer time for school zones and congested areas. Advise drivers to slow down and remain cautious around buses, pedestrians, and cyclists. When the holiday season kicks in, encourage them to maintain focus, even if they’re running behind, as distractions and rushed driving can lead to crashes. 

8. Seasonal Vandalism and Vehicle Security
Unfortunately, the fall season also brings an increase in vandalism and vehicle theft. From Halloween pranks to general holiday-season mischief, unattended fleet vehicles can become targets for theft or damage. 

What to do: Ensure vehicles are parked in well-lit, secure areas, and consider using GPS trackers or dash cams to deter vandals. Encourage drivers to double-check that vehicles are locked and that valuables are out of sight before leaving them unattended. Taking these small steps can save your fleet from unnecessary damage or theft. 

How eDriving Can Help
As you navigate the unique risks of both fall and the Halloween season, our driver risk management program, Mentor^SM by eDriving, can support your efforts to keep your fleet safe. With features like proactive risk ratings of driver behaviors, comprehensive training, and tools to assess vehicle readiness, Mentor helps fleet managers stay one step ahead of seasonal hazards.

Whether it’s navigating tricky weather conditions or reducing distracted driving, eDriving is here to help you create a culture of safety that lasts all year long.

Safe driving.