The winter months always bring new driving challenges. Even areas that don’t get bombarded with snow have to deal with cold temperatures, slick roads, and distracted drivers more frequently in winter than during the rest of the year. That makes December a good time to think about the challenges that exist with winter driving and what actions should be taken to drive safely in adverse conditions throughout the winter.
Obviously, the safe winter driving is directed toward everybody, however, employers should use December to go the extra mile to make sure everybody gets the message. Any business that has employees on the road or has a significant number of its employees driving to and from work every day should spend time in December talking about winter driving safety. After all, this is a critical part of keeping employees safe, whether employees are driving company-owned cars or not.
Here are some winter driving tips that are important for everyone to know and that businesses should be sharing with their employees.
The best winter driving advice anybody can give you is to take things slowly and avoid rushing. When driving conditions are less than ideal, the last thing you want to do is rush to get to your destination. In fact, the opposite approach is always best. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination so that you can drive at a safe speed. Wet roads mixed with high speeds will inevitably result in accidents, especially if the roads are crowded.
There are several steps employers can take to make sure workers don’t rush on the road. For starters, don’t send employees on the road with tight time schedules. If they are driving a company-owned vehicle, give them more than enough time to reach their destination. Also, remind them to slow down in poor road conditions. It’s also a good idea to tell employees who commute to work in their personal vehicle that they will be forgiven for being late if the weather is bad. That way, they won’t feel rushed in bad driving conditions.
A big part of making sure you don’t have to rush in winter weather is planning ahead. Make sure employees know the weather report for anywhere they’ll be driving before they leave. This won’t change the weather, but they will at least know what to expect. In some cases, it might be possible to change their route to avoid the worst weather conditions. Keep in mind there could be accidents or road closures that would further delay the trip. It’s also important for drivers to have the exact directions before they leave because winter weather can make it harder to find your way around an unfamiliar area. The bottom line is that the more information drivers know before they leave, the easier it’ll be to contend with winter weather.
Not only should drivers plan on driving a little slower during the winter but they should expect other drives to do the same. Traffic is always going to move a little slower when weather conditions are bad. Employers should prepare workers on the road for this fact of winter driving so that they don’t get discouraged or frustrated. If traffic moves a little slower during the winter, there isn’t much that can be done. The best thing a driver can do ahead of time is be prepared for it.
Safe driving during any time of year means keeping a safe distance between your car and other vehicles. Naturally, this becomes even more important during the winter. On slick roads, it will take even longer to slow down and come to a stop. However far behind you tend to stay from the car in front of you during normal driving conditions, consider doubling that distance during the winter just to stay safe.
Any company with employees on the road should preach these lessons to them. Obviously, drivers need to be alert at all times. But when driving conditions are far from ideal during the winter, drivers need to make sure they are sharp at all times. Don’t let the fact that traffic is moving slower create a false sense of safety. Drivers should be tuned into the traffic and driving conditions at all times.
Of course, a big part of staying alert is not to drive when tired. Employees who are driving company-owned vehicles should be instructed to take regular breaks. This can help drivers rest and refocus on the task at hand, which is reaching their destination safely. Driving in winter can be stressful and requires a lot more focus than driving in ideal conditions. This can cause drivers to tire out faster and require more frequent breaks in order to stay focused and drive safely.
This sounds simple, but it can make a huge difference while driving in the winter. By starting the car five minutes before you leave, the inside of the car will be warm and all of the windows will be defrosted. It also provides time to brush any existing snow and ice off the car if it’s been parked outside. That extra time can go a long way toward ensuring good visibility and that the car is warm and comfortable for the driver.
Similarly, both drivers and passengers should be dressed appropriately for the winter weather. Even if the car is warm, they should still be wearing warm clothes and have proper winter footwear. Just in case the vehicle gets stuck or delayed, everyone in the car should be prepared to be outside in the cold just in case. Employers should also provide extra blankets and warm-weather clothes in any company-owned cars to make sure employees aren’t left unprepared.
Before the winter driving season arrives, it’s always a good idea for businesses to get every company-owned vehicle inspected. Make sure the engine has been tuned up, the wipers work, the tires have enough tread, and all fluids like anti-freeze have been refilled. It’s important that vehicles are in good working condition and can perform at a high level before they start to encounter winter conditions.
Likewise, employees should be trained to inspect vehicles before every use. For starters, they should check if they have enough gas to make it to their destination. It’s also important to make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by mud or snow. Checking the air in the tires and the windshield wipers is also a good idea. Ideally, employers should have a checklist for employees to follow before they drive a company-owned car.
Believe it or not, the cleanliness of vehicles is also of great importance during the winter. The front windshield and all windows should be clear of snow and any other debris. The same goes for the headlights and the taillights so that they can be visible.
If there is a stop made along the way, it’s a good idea for drivers to double check the windows and lights are clean because this will improve safety on the road.
There are so many winter driving tips and strategies that it makes sense for employers to have workers who will be driving company-owned vehicles practice driving in wintry conditions. All it takes is an empty parking lot and a little bit of snow and ice on the road. Allow employees to practice braking on slick roads, steering into skids, and get used to some of the other intricacies of winter driving. Obviously, you don’t want to put employees in danger or at risk of an accident. However, by introducing them to winter driving in an empty parking lot and letting them practice a little, they will be a little more comfortable on actual roads when it’s time to drive in suboptimal conditions.
As mentioned, it’s important for employees to dress warm while driving company vehicles in case there is an accident and they have to spend time outside in the cold. Likewise, it’s critical that employers provide a set plan for how employees should handle this type of situation. For starters, they should be instructed to turn the car off to conserve fuel and use the vehicle’s hazard lights. They should also know not to leave the vehicle if it gets stuck or requires assistance. Ideally, the employer will provide workers with someone to call in this situation, as well as a backup person in case they can’t reach the primary option. Obviously, the point of practicing safe winter driving habits is to avoid an accident. But just in case one happens, employers need to make sure employees are prepared and have a plan.
The best lesson that can be learned about winter driving is knowing when the best option is to stay put and wait for conditions to improve. Employers need to recognize that safety comes first. There are times during the winter when employees need to be told not to drive anywhere and that their safety is more important than getting the job done. Of course, there are ways to drive safely in wintry conditions, but there are also times when it’s not worth the risk.
If your business always wants to put safety first, the best thing you can do is get the right safety management software. The right system can make it easier to manage all elements of workplace health and safety, streamlining safety operations while also ensuring that all employees are as safe as possible.