Pine needles and road safety challenges of the new season
One of the first things a new season brings is a change in the weather. As the days shorten, seasonal weather changes are par for the course. Similarly, seasonal changes affect more than just the weather. For example, the Fall season. Everyone experiences the changing of the season at one stage or another. First the days get shorter. Then the air gets cooler. And before long all the leaves are changing colors. Then it’s time to get those rakes out. Because before long, those leaves are falling.
Those leaves are falling to the ground. Along with pine needles and walnuts and other seasonal fruits. While this is an exciting time of year, it’s also a good time of year to think about road safety. Couriers are often on the back roads and in long driveways. Additionally, there are mountain roads, and some driveways are as steep as a mountain road. All of these places have one thing in common during the fall season. An extensive road coverage of pine needles. And the colorful falling leaves.
The fall foliage is always a seasonal bonus. However, in some places, and cases, it can also be a road hazard. Particularly regarding roads on steep hills and driveways that have a steep incline. These are areas that need wheel traction to access safely. Moreover, a road covered with leaves and pine needles, can be a catalyst for the loss of traction.
Pine Needles and Road Safety
The loss of traction is a safety concern. Especially when moving down a slope or incline. Factor in rainy weather, and now that foliage on the ground is a slick blanket of slide down that hill. Or it could be the reason why there is a spin out of the tires while on the way up the incline. This is a condition that is possible on back roads. And also in driveways surrounded by woods. Woods where the trees grow close to the edge of the pavement.
In some areas, especially in the South, pine trees are common. In fact, there are some places where they are plentiful. This means pine needles on the ground. And on the pavement. Lots of them. Furthermore, when they are wet or even moist, they become a barrier to effective wheel traction. Even though many newer vehicles have a traction control system, there are still safety concerns. For example, stopping quickly. Or trying to drive up an incline covered with pine needles.
The risk is less if the foliage and the pine needle mix are freshly fallen. Or still dry. When the pavement is covered with the mixed foliage, and it’s damp from falling rain, it’s a different situation. It’s possible to have sliding issues either in stopping suddenly, or incline climbing. Couriers do have options with steep driveways. If it looks like there could be a problem there is always parking on the road, and doing the cardio.
Challenges of the New Season
As the fall season moves toward the winter season, road safety will be even more important. However, in the meantime, there is the fall season and all its challenges to safely traverse. Staying alert for changing road conditions is a primary focus for a safe delivery drop-off. Furthermore, the fall season has several holidays that affect road conditions. For example, Halloween. Neighborhood streets are usually very busy on Halloween.
Therefore, the roads will be very busy with pedestrians. And between earlier nightfall from shorter days, and fall foliage on the roads, road safety becomes paramount. This means road conditions are a major factor. Furthermore, unsafe or dangerous road conditions, require an alert and safety conscious approach. It starts with slowing down. There is no need to travel twice the speed limit through neighborhoods. It isn’t practical on any road.
The fall season is the unofficial start of the holiday season. Therefore couriers see an uptick in business. The dinner rush becomes more flexible as holiday celebrations take place. In fact, businesses that stay open late will get those delivery orders. And the courier that schedules the late shift, will stay busy. Which means the challenges of the new season will be old hat before long. Stay safe out there.
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