Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/94279
W inter driving condi- tions can be all over the map. Rain can be a hazard in areas that don't get much while near blizzard condi- tions are a normal commute for others. But don't assume employees know what to do when daylight hours are short, temperatures are low and waters are rising. With winter upon us, your company's driver safety program should get a warm-up for the cold ahead. There are two major factors that make winter driving diff erent from driving during the warmer times of the year. Reduced visibility is the fi rst safety challenge. Rain, fog, snow and more hours of darkness all add up to decreased visual input. Reduced driver vision means reduced reaction time. The second major seasonal road hazard is reduced vehicle grip or traction. Wet pavement, standing water, build-up of fall leaves, ice and snow all interfere with the grip tires have on the road. When grip is lost, so is vehicle control. The good news: Reduced vis- ibility and reduced grip can both be addressed with equipment, preparation, planning and driv- ing techniques. TIMELY UPGRADE Improving the way your vehicle is equipped can help you handle the dark and dreary ahead. Make sure brakes, fi lters, belts and shocks are up to date. Batteries work harder to start vehicles in cooler temperatures so make sure your batteries are up to speed. Check the engine coolant for anti-freeze protection. Some manufacturers recommend using a lower viscosity oil in the winter so check your owner's manual before making that next oil change. Auxiliary lights are a good way to address reduced visibility. Fog lights are designed to illuminate low along the road surface and to minimize refl ective glare. Driv- ing lights can reach out to fi nd obstacles far ahead. Replace wiper blades as needed. Those impregnated with silicone are the best, while any new wiper blades are better than those that have seen more than one summer. Be sure the windshield washer fl uid is fi lled with the proper product to withstand low tem- peratures, to cut grease and oil and to prevent ice build-up. A clear view and better lights give you more time to react when you need more time to stop. BITE RIGHT Winter tires have softer tread compounds that help them stay pliable in cold temps to mesh with pavement texture, snow and ice. Increased siping, those grooves in the tread, also increases the biting edges of the tire tread and gives the thin layer of water that forms between tread block and ice a place to hide, which im- proves the amount of tread that is touching the road surface. Tougher winter conditions call for studded tires and the worst weather may even require chains to supplement winter tires. SAFETY SUPPLIES Every year we hear news reports of unprepared motorists getting stuck or breaking down in freez- ing temperatures. The biggest mistake people make is trying to go for help. The best bet is to stay with the vehicle. Every pickup should carry an extra set of warm clothing for each occupant, along with blan- kets, food and water. Dehydration and hypothermia are a deadly duo in the winter. Additional emergency supplies should include a well-stocked fi rst aid kit, fl ashlights, two-way radios, extra batteries and a small shovel. And it never hurts to have a fi re starter of some type. ROUTE REWARDS Whenever possible, travel when you know that the roads have already been sanded or plowed. Try to go when there's less traffi c to negotiate. When things get icy, take trouble zones like hills and curves out of the equation. Use surface streets instead of the freeway. Some freeway corners are so banked that a stopped vehicle cannot stay on the road in the slickest of condi- tions like freezing rain. If you are heading into the mountains or into a remote area, Winter driving without the drama; tips for that corporate driver safety program 28 PROPICKUP December 2012 By Larry Walton