Driving in heavy snow is dangerous. Not only is visibility and stopping an issue in poor weather, businesses also run the risk of stranded drivers in snow and driver collisions. In 2017, there were 7502 vehicle crashes in the UK as a result of poor weather conditions. This caused 60 deaths, 1339 serious injuries and 8243 small injuries. Winter is approaching fast – which means poor weather for the next 4 months.
If you’re a Fleet Operator, there statistics are important and we understand that you have deliveries and deadlines to meet. We’ve compiled our best tips for you and your drivers to stay safe in ever changing weather conditions this winter.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Important tools available to fleet operators is telematics and CCTV. There are several reasons why businesses are combining both. The combined data they record can be used as protection against insurance fraud, vehicle surveillance while parked and accident liability protection. Bad drivers can be held accountable and not the poor weather conditions.
Fleet Operators can drastically save money and deliver goods with telematics. Using accurate and real time information, operators are able to plan routes with less obstructions. As a result, drivers can avoid dangerous roads covered in snow and make their deliveries on time. If drivers can take safe routes in poor weather – valuable assets such as trucks and cargo can avoid damage.
Sudden Poor Weather
It can take several hours to haul cargo across the UK, dangerous weather can strike at any time and cause hazards for hauliers. Drivers can use a few techniques to ensure the safety of them, their cargo and their vehicles. Such as slowing down in poor visibility conditions making it easier to stop the vehicle. Another useful tip in poor weather is to use your lights as it helps other drivers to see you.
Fleet operators have more control than they know, with telematics they can change the route of their drivers to avoid hazards such as sudden weather changes. Therefore, not only can fleet operators help their drivers before setting off but also during their journey too with telematics. Failing to use telematics means drivers could be stopped by hazards and obstructions while making deliveries like the M66′ 16 car pile-up on the 1st March 2018. Operators can also keep employees to strict driving hours by managing their breaks and driving time, this is a legal requirement set out by the EU Driver’s Hours.
We take pride in helping fleet operators. Our AdvancedFleet solutions are important to improve driver behaviour and reduce fleet costs. Furthermore, if you’d like to learn more about our tracking and Telematic solutions then check out our AdvancedFleet Solutions here.
