Leaves -- we love ‘em, but they can pose a danger for walkers or drivers when wet

MIAMI VALLEY — Fall leaves in Ohio – We love them!

They can be beautiful, but as the fall season drags on, eventually these leaves fall off the trees.

Windy days like today help speed that process. If rain is in the forecast, all of a sudden those leaves could become quite dangerous.

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Leaves have a waxy coating that repel water. When leaves on the ground get wet, this waxy surface when combined with the water make the ground as slippery as ice!

These slick leaves can pose a hazard to folks walking a steep hill and to drivers who may be unaware of the poor traction tires can have on wet leaves.

A car traveling at 40 mph can stop in about 80 feet in dry conditions. When roads are wet, that stopping distance is doubled.

When wet leaves are present, a car traveling at 40 mph may take 250 feet, nearly the distance of a football field, to come to a complete stop!

As the leaves fall off the trees with this weather system or with the next one, be sure to use extra caution!

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