The Risks Driving In Autumn Poses To Your Windscreen
There is no bad time of year to take out windscreen insurance cover, but the start of autumn is a particularly wise time to do so, as the coming months will see the range of dangers on the road increase as it gets darker, colder and busier.
Summer may have brought its own issues, not least the fact you may have been driving long distances on unfamiliar roads on holiday, but as August comes to an end and the schools prepare to welcome the kids back, there is no escaping the fact that autumn is just around the corner.
The AA has published its own lengthy list of the dangers that driving in autumn can pose to your car, which will include an increased risk of windscreen damage.
A prime risk comes from the unavoidable fact that the sun is lower in autumn, which increases the risk of glare that can lead to an accident. The AA advises taking action to clean your windscreen and reduce the “hazy film that builds up” inside, to improve visibility.
It also suggests replacing wiper blades if they are worn or damaged and getting any scratches or chips fixed as they can increase glare.
Other seasonal maintenance steps include renewing tyres if the tread is getting thin to deal with more slippery roads as autumn transitions into winter, as well as making sure bulbs and batteries are in good shape.
Autumn driving also poses risks because the roads will be busier in the mornings as the school run resumes, while falling leaves on wet days will make roads more slippery. In addition to that, as the RAC notes, the shorter days mean you should be prepared for more night-time driving.
Driving in the dark also means it is harder to spot and avoid potholes, so you may face more chances of stones flying up and hitting the windscreen.
Another factor to consider is storms. Many meteorologists will tell you that storms appear to be more frequent and severe as a result of climate change, but it is already the case that autumn and winter bring windier weather.
The Met Office, in conjunction with its Irish and Dutch counterparts, has been naming autumn and winter storms since 2015 and it was notable that the 2023-24 season brought 12 named storms, the highest so far. The numbers do vary, with only two storms in 2022-23, but no other year has seen fewer than five and three seasons have hit double figures.
Driving in a storm means that your car is more at risk from the weather, be it a slippery road from excessive rainfall or strikes from airborne debris. You may be wise not to drive when the weather is severe, but unless you have a garage to shelter it in, the danger from debris remains.
Quite simply, autumn makes driving riskier all round, which is why you should ensure your car and windscreen are insured as well as taking practical steps to be ready for everything the season will bring.