Once the clocks go back and winter starts to set in, the rules for fleet safety have to change with the weather. Make sure your vehicles and drivers are well-prepared for winter driving.
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Avoid Collisions In The Dark
The first and most important winter road safety rule is to maintain clear vision for drivers. A lot of road collisions happen during the hours of darkness, so as the nights become darker and longer, it is very important that your vehicle lights are working properly.
Fleet owners must keep lights, indicators, reflectors, number plates, and windows clean and free from obstructions. You will also need to properly adjust the lights to prevent dazzling other road users.
It is not only harder to see other cars while you’re driving at night, but it can also be tricky to spot pedestrians, animals, and ice on the road. Make sure your drivers are being vigilant for anything that could put them or the vehicle at risk.
Be Careful Of Floods, Snow, And Ice
Drivers have to face all kinds of weather in winter, from floods and rain to ice and snow. These conditions are all dangerous for road users, so fleet drivers must take precautions. Start on your own premises, by hiring a Snow Plow to keep your own roadways clear.
Drivers should avoid driving through floodwater, as it can cause a lot of damage to vehicles, and should exercise caution when they need to drive on ice or snow. Save winter driving should be a part of your driver training to make sure your team can stay safe.
Slow Down
Speed is an important factor in road accidents. A vehicle’s speed determines whether the driver can stop in time and how the impact will be if they can’t stop. For every 1pmh reduction in speed, crash rates drop by an average of 5%.
Stopping distance doubles on wet roads, even more in icy road conditions. Make sure your fleet drivers are leaving amble space and more space than usual between vehicles when they have to drive in extreme weather conditions.
Prepare
Sensible driving behaviors are very important for fleet safety in the winter, but fleet managers need to make sure that their vehicles are always kept in top condition too. Vehicle safety inspections are important for staying safe on the road, so don’t overlook them.
Make sure that you check the tire pressure on a weekly basis before anyone uses the vehicle when the tires are still cold. The minimum legal tire tread is 1.6mm, but ideally, you want at least 3mm for winter driving.
Fluid levels should also be checked every week and you should add anti-freeze agents should be added to your radiator and windscreen bottle during the colder weather.
Winter weather can also cause a lot of damage to road surfaces, creating loose gravel and potholes. Bumpy roads can lead to bumps on vehicles, so it’s important that drivers take care on their travels.
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