Lost in the fog
Add another item to the list of once-common features – including ashtrays, spare tires and turn-the-key ignition switches – disappearing from new cars: fog lamps. The New York Times reports that several makers of luxury vehicles have omitted the front fog lights from many of their latest models, including Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz and the new Genesis line from Hyundai. The trend is unlikely to stop there, as changes to high-end models inevitably filter down to mainstream cars and trucks, according to the paper. Fog lamps are intended to provide an adjunct to the low beams. Because fog hovers close to the ground, the lamps are designed to shine down, illuminating the road beneath the fog. The top of the beam is cut off sharply so the light does not shine into the fog and reflect off it. Those companies say their latest high-tech headlights make separate fog lamps unnecessary.
First Dylan, now Volvo
Volvo Cars announced that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor, marking the end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine (ICE). The company will introduce a portfolio of electrified cars across its model range, embracing fully electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars and mild-hybrid cars. It will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high performance electrified cars from Polestar. These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petroleum and diesel plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid 48-volt options on all models. This means that in the future there will be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure ICE cars are gradually phased out and replaced by ICE cars that are enhanced with electrified options.
Britain to go cold turkey
Britain in July said it will ban all new petroleum and diesel cars and vans from 2040 amid fears that rising levels of nitrogen oxide pose a major risk to public health, reports The Guardian. The commitment, which follows a similar pledge in France, is part of the government’s much-anticipated clean air plan, which has been at the heart of a protracted high court legal battle. The government said that the move, which will also take in hybrid vehicles, was needed because of the unnecessary and avoidable impact that poor air quality was having on people’s health. Ministers believe it poses the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.
It’s fall. Drive safe.
Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you can find yourself on the road in darkness. Some hazards to watch for, per esurance.
- Back-to-school traffic. Fall means back-to-school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon, as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.
- The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven’t had a chance to wash away, making the pavement extremely slippery.
- As leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And rain can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.
- Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can limit driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams. This only makes visibility worse, as high beams bounce off fog and create glare.
- During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.
- Sun glare. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being “blinded” after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses. When the sun sets behind drivers, its light can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, blinding the driver for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights.
- Fall is mating and migrating time for deer. When driving in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially at night.
- Tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.
For more seasonal driving tips, visit https://www.esurance.com/info/car/dangers-of-fall-driving.