If you don't follow fall safety tips, you may find yourself in a jam.

As season's change, so should driving styles

Crisp air, falling leaves, shorter days -- these are all signs that indicate fall is in the air. They are also signs that you should be cautious as you get behind the wheel of your car.

And the first step in avoiding the driving hazards inherent in the various seasons is to recognize them. Changing your driving style to fit the season should be as natural as changing your wardrobe.

Follow these fall safe driving tips:

• Watch for slippery road conditions: Fallen leaves can make for slick driving conditions, especially after rain, frost or snow. Watch for accumulated leaves, be patient with other motorists who are driving cautiously and keep the driving surfaces around your residence clear.

• Prepare for night driving: Decreased daylight in the fall means some drivers will be doing much of their commuting in darker conditions. The National Safety Council suggests allowing your eyes at least two to five minutes to adjust when moving from a brightly lit building into a darker environment.

• Keep an eye out for tiny commuters: While kids are tucked away in classrooms during the day, after-school bus and pedestrian traffic calls for extra caution on the part of motorists, especially in neighborhoods. According to the "Report to the Nation on Child Pedestrian Safety," released by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign in 2002, forty-three percent of the child pedestrians killed in traffic-related incidents are hit after school and at dusk (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and eighty-one percent of traffic-related childhood pedestrian deaths occur at non-intersection locations.

• Beware of wildlife: Deer are more active in the fall and early winter, meaning more animals tend to be out on the roads. A 2002 study by Friends of Animals found that about half of all deer collisions occur in just three months: October, November and December. During the autumn, the average number of deer hit by cars jumps from 550 per month to more than 1,700 per month.

According to RoadTrip America, over a half-million car/animal collisions occur every year and over 90 percent of animal/vehicle collisions occur at night, many near dusk or dawn. Use your high beams whenever you can, as they are more likely to cause a reflection in the animal's eyes that you can see. Also, where there is one animal, there are likely to be more, so check around for others.

• Most importantly, always be prepared for an emergency with the following items in your trunk:
• ice scraper
• windshield de-icer
• flashlight
• whisk broom
• blanket
• extra clothes
• candle/matches
• bottled water
• snacks
• necessary medications
• first-aid kit.