When you're in charge of a mobile workforce, you're responsible for your workers’ health and safety under all circumstances, including bad weather. Winters mean more rainy days and wetter roads, which present many unique hazards to your fleet. 

If a driver gets into an accident due to rain, snow or ice, you can be personally liable. Without a good risk management system in place, the costs of vehicle downtime, possible injuries and administrative hassles are just some of the fallout that can result.

To minimise these risks, be sure to implement the following tips for driving in wet conditions.

Learn all you need to know about Driver Training here.

1.Maintain steady, slower speeds.

In wet weather, your drivers can easily lose control behind the wheel. Slipping and skidding is common on wet or icy roads, putting any driver in danger.

Make sure that your employees stay at slower speeds in wet weather. This way, they will maintain a bit more control and have better chances of reacting safely to other drivers.

2.Look ahead, and stay alert.

Impaired fellow drivers, potholes and other potential hazards are risky situations at all times. It’s even more serious in wet conditions, making it crucial to be ready for all types of dangers.

In rainy or snowy conditions, your fleet drivers should be extremely watchful of those they share the road with. By spotting impaired or reckless drivers, your employees can act accordingly, protecting both themselves and others.

Fleet drivers should also anticipate traffic signs, sudden bends in the road, and other hazards. Assigning shorter, less congested and more familiar routes will help avoid accidents when you know your drivers’ vision or steering may be hampered by the weather.

3.Use fog lights properly.

Ensure that your drivers know how to use their fog lights, both on the front and rear of their vehicles, if conditions call for it. Drivers must also not forget to switch off the fog lights once they reach a clearer spot.

4.Keep a safe distance away from vehicles ahead

Even at reasonable speeds, being too close to other drivers can lead to head-on collisions on slippery roads.

When it’s wet, your drivers should stay at least four seconds behind others on the road. For snowy or icy roads, even more caution should be exercised - drivers should stay as far back as they reasonably can from other vehicles. 

5.Make sure your staff have taken driver training.

Even the most experienced drivers in your mobile workforce are more vulnerable in wet conditions. It’s your responsibility to ensure your drivers are sufficiently skilled to stay safe on the roads.

This is where driver training comes in. A good training programme will deal with every possible hazard, teach drivers to ‘read the road’ better and change their behaviour as the weather changes. Upskilled drivers are less vulnerable and more likely to keep their vehicles in top shape.

6.Implement a strong fleet management plan.

The absolute best way to minimise weather-related risk, and cover all important facets of driver safety, is to put a full-scale fleet management plan in place. 

Such a plan will ensure your vehicles are ready for typical bad weather situations. The plan should include an easily-referenced database of all inspections, tune-ups and repairs. This helps you confirm vehicles are completely safe and roadworthy at all times.

Good fleet management will also provide visibility into the level of risk for each driver. Seeing which workers have completed driver training and incurred the fewest incidents can help you head off weather-related incidents before they occur.

Accidents happen easier and faster in wet weather. Make sure your drivers know the safety rules, and that you have good driver training and fleet management in place. It’s the smart way to protect your company’s finances and your drivers’ safety, whether skies are clear or not.

To learn more about protecting your fleet this winter, check out our eBook ‘How to Manage Health & Safety Risk with a Mobile Workforce’, Here.