Some basic Seattle fleet management steps can help keep your fleet drivers and vehicles safe on wintery roads.
Winter is here, and with it comes many potentially dangerous driving conditions. As part of your Seattle fleet management program, it’s important to make sure your fleet vehicles are well maintained and your drivers are prepared for winter driving conditions. If you haven’t already, it’s time to take care of some necessary vehicle maintenance and give your drivers some important reminders.
Seattle Fleet Management: Keeping Vehicles in Good Condition for Wintery Roads
Vehicle condition is a huge part of safe winter driving. If your fleet vehicles are overdue for maintenance, you’re not doing your drivers any favors on the road. Maintenance is important all year round. However, it is particularly necessary when drivers may face slippery conditions from ice and snow. Therefore, make sure your Seattle fleet management program includes winter inspections and necessary service.
Tires are an important part of driving safety, especially in slippery conditions. Therefore, your winter fleet management program should absolutely address tires for your vehicles. Make sure that the tires are in good condition and rated for winter driving. Also, it’s important to ensure tire pressure is at optimal levels every time one of your drivers goes out on the road to help with traction and safety.
In addition, safe winter driving also means double checking some key fluids. For example, consider using washer fluid rated for low temperatures. These types of washer fluid are formulated to reduce freezing and help drivers keep the windshield free of dirt and debris that can obstruct their view. Another thing to check on all your fleet vehicles is the antifreeze levels.
Reminding Drivers of Winter Driving Best Practices
Whether you have a commercial fleet that logs thousands of hours on the road each year or you have a few company vehicles for key personnel, it’s important to ensure your drivers know important safety tips for winter driving. Even if your drivers are incredibly experienced and skilled, it never hurts to send out reminders and do daily or weekly “huddles” to give some safety advice. Also, refresher courses may be helpful for your drivers.
Here are some helpful tips that may help your fleet drivers stay safe in icy, snowy conditions:
- Reduce speed: Ice and snow increase how long it takes to stop or slow down
- Maintain distance: Keeping more distance between other cars helps give drivers enough room to stop if needed.
- Avoid sudden maneuvers: Whether sudden braking, accelerating, or steering, sudden movements in icy conditions can cause drivers to skid out.
- Beware of black ice: Black ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that is difficult for drivers to see. It forms when temperatures are close to freezing and causes many accidents each year.
Also, consider increasing the amount of time allotted for each route. This can help reduce the pressure to go faster than is safe for wintery conditions. Planning ahead to give your drivers enough time to drive at proper speeds and give plenty of distance between other cars can go a long way in keeping drivers and vehicles safe.
Glesby Marks – Commercial Vehicle Leasing and Fleet Management Solutions
We know you want the best for your company’s fleet, which is why you should choose our solutions at Glesby Marks. Our team offers all-in-one solutions for everything from commercial vehicle leasing to fleet management. Whether you need new fleet vehicles or are looking for integrated tools for fuel management, we have exactly what you need. Call our Seattle fleet management and leasing team today at (800) 640-1144 or nationally at (800) 482-9498.