Health & safety bulletin
Driving In The Winter Months
22nd October 2009
As the nights draw in and the mornings get darker it can only mean one thing, winter is upon us. And with winter comes undesirable weather conditions.
Driving in high winds, heavy rain, sleet or snow brings heightened dangers on the road; but possibly more dangerous are the other road users who don't acknowledge the changing conditions and take to the roads as normal.
10 TIPS FOR DRIVING IN THE WINTER MONTHS:
- Check your tyre pressure - flat tyres reduce your grip which can be lethal in wet conditions.
- Check your tyre tread depth - a 20p coin can be a useful tread guide. If you can see the outer band of the coin when you put it in a groove, your tread depth may be illegal. Tyres should also be checked for any cuts or bulges.
- Don't speed - breaking the speed limit is illegal and dangerous all of the time, but add bad weather to the mix and you have a potentially deadly cocktail!
- Keep well back - in rain, snow or ice, stopping distances will increase dramatically, so slow down and keep well back from the vehicle in front.
- Use the appropriate gear - in wet or icy conditions, accelerate slowly and use a high gear to get more traction.
- Don't overtake the gritter or snow plough - they may be moving slowly but they are there to make your journey safer. The road ahead of a gritter or snow plough is likely to be worse than the road behind it. Keep back!
- Check the fluids - ensure that windscreen wash is topped up with fluid and antifreeze if necessary. Also, be sure your wiper blades are clean.
- Lights, lights, lights - poor weather conditions make it more difficult to see the road and other drivers. Switch on your lights to see, and be seen.
- Don't just rely on sat-navs - your sat-nav may show a gentle bend in the road, but hazards like a bad camber, crest, oncoming vehicle or narrowing road won't be shown on a sat-nav screen. Slow down and take care.
- Check your oil - the last place you want to be on a cold December evening is at the side of a busy road with steam billowing from your engine bay. Check your oil level and keep it topped-up.
YOUR VEHICLE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
If you use a company vehicle, it is the YOUR responsibility to ensure that the daily and weekly checks are carried out, and any defects or problems are reported to a supervisor ASAP.
Remember:
- Tyres must be checked daily for tyre wall damage and tread depth.
- Report any damage or defects immediately.
- Ensure you have a complete First Aid Box and Fire Extinguisher in the vehicle in case of emergencies.
- Check all mirrors are clean and undamaged.
- Test front and rear lights, indicators and fog lights.
- Ensure your vehicle registration plate is clean and intact.
- Check windscreen wipers and washer bottle fluid level.
- Visually check Battery connections.
- Check vehicle tax disc is valid.
- Check windscreen for damage and ensure it is clean.
- Test seat belts - engage belt and pull rapidly in forward direction to see if it stops.
- Check all instrument and alarms, warning lights.
- Try the horn - only to be used to in accordance with the Highway Code.
- Check the steering.
- Try the brakes.
- Ensure the vehicle is clean and tidy inside and out.
- Ensure there is a spare wheel, jack and wheel brace.
According to the Department of Transport figures for 2008, 51% of all accidents involving light goods vehicles occurred whilst driving for work purposes.
Let's make sure that no-one at Xmo Strata or Xmo Veritas becomes part of these statistics!