Why Driving on Wet Leaves is as Dangerous as Ice

When you originally got your driver’s license, one of the first things your instructor or parent likely told you was the dangers of driving on ice. Not only are icy roads inherently slippery, but they can also catch you off guard if you aren’t careful. Black ice is prevalent after bad storms or when rain freezes over, creating a potentially dangerous situation at any speed.

But, did you know that wet leaves are just as dangerous as ice, if not more so? This is true for a wide range of different reasons, all of which are worth a closer look.

The Dangers of Driving on Wet Leaves: Breaking Things Down

Much like ice, one of the biggest reasons why driving on wet leaves is so dangerous is because it’s something that we tend to take for granted.

Big trees are all around us, and when the weather starts to cool off and the leaves start to change colors with the season, we often welcome this. We like driving around, looking at the green leaves that turn to beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. We don’t pay much attention to what might happen as soon as they start to fall off the trees and line the roads – and rest assured, they will.

Leaves and Driving

Unlike ice and snow, which create dangerous road conditions periodically, leaves are omnipresent throughout the season. Once the leaves begin to change colors and fall off the tree, it doesn’t stop until the snow starts in earnest. Because of the length of time, not only do we tend to write them off as nothing to worry about, but we also tend to forget about them entirely. 

Leaves also retain water in a way that makes them particularly tricky. All it takes is one decent rainstorm to create a constant hazard on the road. Wet leaves can make it difficult for your tires to get traction causing you to lose control of the wheel,  slide and skid, then potentially crash into something if you’re not exceedingly careful. Even if the roads are dry, you’ll find leaves can still make it increasingly difficult for your tires to get the traction necessary to stop safely.

Key Takeaways:

• Unlike ice, which comes and goes, leaves are a constant threat throughout the fall season.
• Even if the roads are dry, leaves retention to water creates slippery conditions after every rainfall.

The East Coast Toyota Approach

In the end, leaves are one of those road hazards that people tend to forget about. Our automotive specialists here at East Coast Toyota are here to help you prepare your vehicle to drive on wet leaves and ice during the fall and winter time. Call (201) 438-5659 to schedule maintenance/service today!