Wet leaves on the road can create conditions as dangerous as snow according to latest research carried out by Ford.

As many drivers will testify leaves on the road can lead to accidents as the car slips across the surface. Ford recently put this theory to the test, comparing these conditions to driving in snowy Scandinavia. A research team gathered bags of leaves and used them to cover the test track at the company’s proving ground in Belgium. They then called in the help of a friction-testing device that identifies how slippery surfaces are by rolling over them. The results were that in certain situations, the leaves were as slippery as snow.

Eddy Kasteel, development engineer, Ford of Europe, said “Most people know to slow down and drive more cautiously for snow. But far fewer of us give the same respect to roads covered in leaves.”

The same engineers helped to develop “Slippery Mode” for the all-new Ford Focus Active crossover that goes on sale next month. Designed to improve traction on surfaces including ice snow and wet leaves, the system makes rapid readjustments to stability systems, acceleration and braking to help prevent the car from skidding, swerving or deviating from its intended path.