Winter Driving
Its best to drive with dipped headlights always. Parking lights are for parking not driving. BE SAFE – BE SEEN.
Driving with dipped headlights has been proven to reduce both fault & non fault accidents.
Vehicle Condition
Make sure you check your vehicle daily, especially tyres, lights, oil/ water/ brake levels, wipers, glass and mirrors. Report any defects immediately. Ensure mirrors, windows and lights are always clean. Driving with a dirty number plate is also an offence.
Wipers
Please do not switch wipers on your vehicle until the windscreen has been cleared of frost and you have checked that the wipers are no longer frozen to the glass. This protects the wiper motor and prevents damage to the wiper blades (they may no longer clear the glass surface properly).
Windscreen Washers
If, when you check your washers they do not spray, the water in the reservoir is probably frozen. Do not keep pressing the switch as this will either blow the fuse or burn out the motor. To avoid this, ensure you always have decent screen wash in the washer tank.
Windows, Lights & Mirrors
Before driving off ensure all windows lights and mirrors are defrosted and are clear.
Distance & speed
When driving in poor weather conditions keep extra distance from the vehicle in front and slow down. Remember the 2 second rule. Drivers should leave at least 2 seconds between them and the vehicle in front. This should be increased to at least 4 in the wet and 20 seconds in adverse conditions such as ice.
Equipment
Keep emergency kit in your vehicle such as de-icer/ scraper, torch, boots, first aid kit (complete), warm clothing and a shovel.
Road condition
Road conditions can change rapidly especially in freezing conditions. Be aware that tyres make very little road noise when on ice, and black ice can very easily be mistaken for a wet surface.
Snow
Before driving ensure your vehicle has been cleared of snow. This includes the roof. Snow falling from a vehicle when on the road can cause significant distraction to other road users and could also cause harm especially to pedestrians. You may be issued a fixed penalty fine for having snow on the roof of your van.
According to rule 229 of the Highway Code; "all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users" must be removed. Those that flout the rule could be prosecuted for careless driving should they be involved in an accident in which snow on the roof is deemed a factor.
The Sun
Keep your sunglasses to hand. The winter sun is the cause of many morning accidents because of its low position in the sky.
Plan your journey
Always plan your journey, and in poor weather, leave extra time to complete your journey. In very severe conditions do not drive unless necessary. If uncertain that there is work on a particular day, contact your manager before leaving home.
Smoking While Driving
If you are driving a company vehicle, you must not smoke in the vehicle. This is the Law!
Drivers have been reported smoking in their vehicles by Local Authority Inspectors.
Drivers caught smoking in company vehicles will be fined.
There are around an extra 450 deaths on the road during the autumn and winter months. This is due, in part, to poor light and road conditions.
Be safe this winter and stay Accident free!