OCTOBER 16, 2025 – With the lazy days of summer in the rearview, the hustle and bustle of back-to-school routines and changing weather signals a good time to review how to keep yourself, your passengers and others on the road safe during the fall months.
According to the most current data from the National Safety Council, October – November 2023 saw 7,710 motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. Navy-wide, there were 28 personal motor vehicle crashes during last year’s fall season, including two fatalities.
Shorter daylight hours, congested school zones, festive trick-or-treaters and unpredictable weather all bring unique challenges for drivers. By staying alert and prepared, you can help ensure a safer season for everyone.
Back to School: Buses, Stops and Pedestrians
With school underway, morning and afternoon commutes often coincide with children walking to school, parents dropping off students and buses making frequent stops along neighborhood streets. These routines can slow traffic and create unpredictable situations for drivers who may be used to less congestion over the summer months.
School buses demand extra caution. When a bus extends its stop arm and flashes its red lights, traffic in both directions is required to stop. Children may be crossing the street to board or exit and they can be difficult to see until the last moment. Even outside of bus zones, drop-off and pick-up areas near schools bring clusters of pedestrians and young students who may act impulsively darting across streets or stepping into crosswalks without looking.
Drivers should also be mindful of crossing guards, reduced speed zones and the increased number of teenage drivers on the road during the school year. By slowing down, remaining patient and anticipating the unexpected, motorists can help ensure students arrive at school and return home safely each day.
Halloween Safety: Watch for Trick-or-Treaters
Every year, Halloween brings an unusual kind of traffic including throngs of children and families walking neighborhood streets after dark. Masks, costumes and candy-filled excitement can make young trick-or-treaters unpredictable and drivers should adjust their habits to keep them safe.
The risks aren’t limited to Oct. 31. In the weeks leading up to Halloween, communities host trunk-or-treats, fall festivals, haunted houses and parades that draw large crowds to parking lots, parks and neighborhood streets. These events often take place in the late afternoon or evening, with families moving in and around traffic in areas that may not normally be busy. Drivers should expect delays, reduced visibility and pedestrians crossing outside of designated areas.
Whether it’s the buildup to the celebration or Halloween night itself, slowing down, approaching crosswalks with caution and keeping your attention fully on the road are essential steps for safe driving. Halloween should be a time of fun and celebration for families, not one marred by preventable accidents. By exercising patience and vigilance, drivers can help ensure the only scary part of the day is the costumes.
Daylight Saving Time and Low-Light Driving
On Nov. 2, we “fall back” and set our clocks an hour earlier as daylight-saving time ends. While gaining an extra hour of sleep may feel like a bonus, the change also brings a significant adjustment for drivers. Evening commutes that once took place in daylight will now occur in darkness, creating reduced visibility and longer stretches of driving in low-light conditions.
Twilight and night driving make it harder to see pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife, while glare from oncoming headlights can strain the eyes and slow reaction times. The shift in schedules can also disrupt normal sleep patterns, leaving drivers more prone to drowsiness behind the wheel. Even familiar routes may feel different when traveled under darker skies.
To adapt safely, drivers should anticipate these conditions before the time change arrives, ensuring lights are clean and functioning, windshields are clear and driving habits are adjusted with extra space and slower speeds. By planning and staying alert, motorists can ease the transition into shorter days while keeping themselves and others safe on the road.
Fall Weather Driving: Leaves, Rain and Colder Temperatures
The crisp air and colorful scenery of autumn may be inviting, but the season also creates unique driving hazards. Fallen leaves can blanket roadways, concealing lane markings, potholes and debris. When wet, roads can become as slick as ice, reducing tire traction and making sudden stops more dangerous. What looks picturesque on the ground can quickly turn into a hazard behind the wheel.
Autumn also brings increased rainfall, often during peak commuting hours. Even light rain can make roads slippery and heavy downpours reduce visibility while raising the risk of hydroplaning. Checking windshield wipers, headlights and tire tread before the season sets in is critical to staying prepared.
As temperatures begin to drop, drivers must also be alert to the first signs of frost and ice. Bridges, overpasses and shaded roadways are especially prone to freezing earlier than other surfaces. Rushing out the door without fully clearing your windshield or giving your vehicle time to defrost not only affects your vision but also your reaction time. Allowing a few extra minutes before heading out can make the difference between a safe commute and a dangerous one. By anticipating these seasonal challenges and adjusting driving habits accordingly, motorists can enjoy the beauty of fall without falling victim to its hidden risks.
By anticipating seasonal conditions and adjusting driving habits, motorists can reduce risks and protect themselves, their passengers and their communities. Safe driving is always important, but in the fall, a little extra awareness goes a long way in ensuring everyone enjoys the season safely.
For more resources on seasonal safety go to https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Off-Duty/Fall-and-Winter-Safety/
Story by Lindsey Bennett
Naval Safety Command