You are using an outdated browser. There may be optical and technical problems.
OK, CLOSE
Carpets of colorful fall foliage, fog, rain and snow: The roads in the fall and winter months are full of hazards you should be aware of. Thanks to tips from AXA Research and Prevention, you'll stay safe all winter and fall.
Experience shows that there are particularly dangerous times on the roads. On Friday evenings, there are up to 15% more accidents than on other weekdays: There's more traffic, and drivers are already thinking about the weekend – so now's the time to concentrate that bit more.
With the switch to winter time, the days will get shorter again, and visibility will be increasingly impacted by fog or snow. Around one third of all accidents with personal injury happen in twilight or darkness (source: FEDRO). AXA’s figures also show that on days with precarious conditions, there can be twice as many accidents as usual. “On an average day, we record around 500 claims, but if drivers are suddenly surprised by different weather conditions, twice as many accidents can occur,” says Patrick Villiger, Head of Motor Vehicle Claims at AXA. Car drivers should drive with special care after dusk when near schools and shopping centers.
The worst mass pile-ups in Switzerland have been caused by the sudden onset of fog . Rain, snow and fog don't just make visibility worse, but the road grip also deteriorates. Fog in particular can thicken from one moment to the next. Hence, keep your distance and reduce your speed.
On sunny days, foliage looks pretty, but on wet days, it turns into a sliding hazard. Because car wheels have such a poor grip on the leaves, common assistance systems such as ABS and ESP can no longer perform to their full potential. In situations such as these, it is important to stay calm and to avoid abrupt steering movements.
At 3°C or less, there is an increased risk of skidding on bridges and in forest clearings. High humidity or fog create a film of moisture on the asphalt which becomes dangerous at temperatures around freezing point. In such weather conditions, you should drive with particular caution.
On very wet roads, a type of bow wave is formed from water in front of the tires. This water cannot run off quickly enough. In the worst case, the tires lose contact with the road – and it becomes impossible to steer the vehicle. Two things help against aquaplaning: Consistently reduce speed in heavy rain. And maintain a good tire tread (at least 3 mm).
Winter tires should be mounted on the car from October to Easter. In addition, the 4x4x4 rule states that you should use the same four winter tires for a maximum of four years with a tread depth of at least four millimeters. Intact winter tires are essential when it comes to safety. Since October 2024, only winter tires with the Alpine symbol (three-pointed mountain with snowflake) have been permitted. Intact winter tires are essential for safety.
Most accidents with wild animals happen in the morning and evening. Keep an eye on the edge of woods and fields. If you see a wild animal, bear in mind that an animal rarely comes alone. If possible, brake fully and avoid the animal. Thanks to ABS, you can still steer your vehicle. If you do have to make an abrupt maneuver, always watch out for following or oncoming vehicles.
Accidents can happen quickly if the driver is surprised by the change in the weather and has not yet adapted their driving style to the more dangerous road conditions. The risk of black ice on bridges and on roads through wooded areas increases when the outside temperature falls to 3°C or lower. High humidity or fog can create a film of moisture on the surface of the asphalt, which becomes dangerous at temperatures around freezing point. “In such weather conditions, a particularly cautious driving style is called for,” explains Luca Genovese, Head of AXA Mobility Competence Center.
Géraldine Mathys is a theme manager at AXA and researches interesting content about mobility and start-ups for you. She also passes on regular tips and tricks to you.
