Once fall arrives and daylight hours shorten, driving, especially along Highway 95 leading to and from the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, becomes even more dangerous.

There are many elements that contribute to the dangers.

It is now pitch black at 5:30 a.m. when many employees are moving to start their 10-hour shift. The daylight diminishes as they return home in the evening.

Additionally, during the fall, large farm work vehicles travel on the roads heading to their workplace because Yuma County is the capital of lettuce and harvests other products. Wet conditions, especially in agricultural fields, create dense fog that adds another element of danger.

YPG Instrumentation Metric photographer Brian Michael knows this all too well. In November it will be one year since his near-fatal accident in ’95, from which he is still recovering. He was driving in dense fog when he was hit by three cars.

Plus, this time of year, there are large RVs on the roads as winter visitors head to their destination. Arizona’s near-perfect winter weather attracts many seasonal visitors.

Adding to these potential hazards is road improvement work along Highway 95. When completed, the improvements will make driving on the long stretch safer but, in the meantime, will bring heavy machinery, work equipment, lower speed limits and sometimes backed up traffic.

YPG Police Officer Austin Howard points out some laws drivers should be aware of.

In Arizona, the left lane of a multi-lane highway is strictly for passing or turning. It is not up to drivers in both lanes to maintain the same speed and not let other cars pass.

“Getting stuck behind someone is a big trigger for road rage,” Howard says. “In Arizona, you’re supposed to drive in the right lane unless you’re passing.”

Passing in the right lane is also an infraction.

“Aggressive driving is a driving violation,” explains Howard.

Aggressive driving includes speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, passing multiple people, and failing to signal intent. Any combination of these acts can result in reckless driving charges. Reckless driving can lead to road rage.

“Road rage is a criminal act,” explains Howard.

“If you’re following someone, you turn on your lights, go around them, and you’re angry enough to swerve into their vehicle. Now you are falling into danger, which are criminal charges.”

If a person is charged with a criminal offense, they can lose their security clearance, which would mean losing their job as well.

Howard points out: “If you drive 10 miles over the speed limit you will only go full speed, five minutes early. So if you get to where you want to go five minutes early, is it really worth getting into an accident that could cause you or someone else’s life?

It is important to note that agricultural vehicles do not have to move out of your way. The orange sign they display indicates that they are driving below the speed limit.

Howard and his fellow officers have seen too many car accidents and have these words of wisdom: “The number one tip is to drive the speed limit. “It’s there for a reason.”

And he adds: “Knowing when to slow down, when to use the high and low beams. Be aware of your surroundings. Keeping your eyes not only in the middle of the road but also to the sides,” and watching for wildlife and not swerving by making your car move if you encounter wildlife will improve your chances of reaching your destination safely.