This week on N332, I have been looking at how spring quietly changes the roads around us — not in obvious ways, but in ways that can catch drivers off guard.
It is one of those times of year where everything feels easier. The weather improves, the days get longer, and driving can feel more relaxed. But underneath that, the environment is shifting, and with it, the risks.
At the start of the week, I focused on wildlife. Spring is a time of movement, especially for young animals. They are unpredictable, often appearing suddenly and without warning, particularly on rural roads and around dawn and dusk. It is not something you can always anticipate, but it is something you can be prepared for, simply by recognising when and where the risk is higher.
As the week developed, I looked more broadly at how the season affects driving conditions. Changes in light, temperature, and road use all come together. You might have bright sun one moment and deep shadow the next. Roads that were quiet a few weeks ago begin to fill again. Different types of road users start to reappear. It is not one single hazard, but a combination of small changes that gradually alter how we should approach driving.
By midweek, the focus returned to rural roads, where many of these factors come together. Narrow lanes, uneven surfaces, limited visibility, and unexpected hazards all demand attention. In spring, those risks can increase, not because the roads are worse, but because the environment around them is more active.
For me, the key message this week is about awareness. Spring does not announce its risks — it blends them into what feels like better driving conditions.
And that is exactly why it is worth paying attention.
