It’s the season of beautiful leaves, but also of them falling off the tress and getting rained on. Wet leaves can cause problems for drivers and pedestrians.

Wet leaves on the roads can often be as dangerous as snow and ice, make braking, steering and stopping difficult. You may lose traction, which is particularly dangerous at intersections and downhill stop signs or red lights. Acceleration can be affected, too. Drivers should be particularly cautious on leaf-covered ramps and merge lanes. You should continue to be cautious even with dry leaves, which in piles may hide potholes and other road hazards and often are a magnet for playing children.

Here are some quick tips to remember:

Increase your following distance in severe weather, at dusk and dawn and when in an area with wet leaves.

You should never go faster than 20 mph while going around a curve when wet leaves are present.

Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.

And remember that the LAW in NY is if Your Wipers are on then Your Lights are on!

So keep the leaves off your car and as always, DRIVE SAFE!