It always seem to be very interesting. A great study in human nature can be found simply by looking at driving habits on the first day of a seasonal weather change. While some seem to suggest that global warming could eliminate seasonal climate changes altogether, the reality is that at this point and for the last thousands of years, there have been weather changes. We all know they come, and many of us check the weather forecasts ahead of time to prepare ourselves in terms of what clothes to wear on a particular day or whether an umbrella will be necessary.
[Photo by access.denied on Flickr via a Creative Commons license]For those new to a snowy winter, this can be understandable. But for those who have driven in these seasons for years, what’s our excuse for getting in accidents? Do we really forget how to drive?
My friend Philip Moser recently published an article in ProfessionalSafety magazine (February 2014 issue – you can see a snippet of the mag here) about a made-up concept (made up by him, by the way) of a “syndrome” called Seasonal Driving Amnesia, or SDA. For those in safety, you are not surprised each year that a large number of car accidents seem to occur on the first “abnormal” weather day each year – the first rainy day, the first snowstorm, etc. Moser wrote an article that seemed to give evidence that SDA exists – that could be an explanation how drivers who see snow and rain every year and every season, just can’t seem to remember how to drive when those inclement weather events occur.
As a public service, Moser provided a handy-dandy tip sheet for everyone to reference as seasons and weather events change. He takes a look at some of the more common causes of seasonal accidents based on a number of factors, then gives helpful advice about how to adjust for each hazard.
For the spring season, which is generally a rainy season in many places, he addresses the issues of rain itself making wet roads, as well as mechanical issues like use of headlights and wipers, improperly inflated tires and excessive speed causing the effect known as “hydroplaning.”
In the hot but usually sunny summer season, there are very different hazards – fatigue (like driving all night in order to get to a vacation spot sooner and have “more time for fun”), sudden and/or severe storms (like monsoon storms in the southwestern U.S. for example), and of course alcohol (summer picnics or parties). But with the nice, hot weather, as well, please do not forget the existence of bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians – they wcould be out in higher numbers when the sun is out.
In the fall, school is in season, so you look out for school buses, especially those that top often along your normal driving route. Also watch out for dropped leaves, frost and of course … deer. Autumn is deer-breeding season, you know. Gotta roam for those hot dates, and deer won’t let a roadway impede them from finding true love. Wintertime brings about roads frozen with ice, which leads to slipping and sliding. There is also alcohol concerns with holiday parties, the “snow birds” in certain parts of the U.S. – where the local population increases significantly due to winter visitors who seem to be more advanced in age and thus may be lacking in certain driving skills or reflexes – and increased activity at the end of the year for those who are in quota-based work that involve a lot of driving in order to meet certain year-end goals.
So as you look at your weather forecast and you see a change in your weather pattern, Moser’s article can be a good reminder for each of us as drivers to make sure to understand the different factors with each type of weather and remember the precautions that should be taken to ensure safe driving no matter the weather.