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Risk Management and Safety

ASSP Winter Driving Safety

December 07, 2021 03:37 PM

American Society of Safety Professionals ASSP suggests that all travelers:

  • Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to travel, and that businesses maintain information on employee driving destinations, driving routes and estimated time of arrivals;
  • Make sure vehicles are winterized. Before driving have a mechanic look at the battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, tire tread and oil level and carry a windshield scraper for ice and snow removal;
  • Check weather conditions from the National Weather Service, which provides weather reports and alerts; and
  • Make sure the vehicle has the correct tires for the road conditions.

For holiday motorists, ASSE suggests these additional tips to help increase roadway safety during winter weather travel:

  1. Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights, roof and signals;
  2. Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses;
  3. Wear a seatbelt and properly restrain children in the back seat of a vehicle;
  4. Don’t be distracted while driving. Many states prohibit texting while driving. For all drivers, distracted driving is deadly even in good weather. One study showed that 85 percent of crashes occur within 3 seconds of a driver’s distraction; sending a text message while traveling 40 mph can cause your eyes to be off the road for 4.7 to 5.0 seconds, enough time to travel up to 294 feet before you start braking.
  5. Don’t speed; the faster you’re going, the longer it will take to stop;
  6. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with the proper tires for the roadway conditions;
  7. Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal.
  8. When behind vehicles, the recommended following distance is a minimum of 3 seconds for passenger and light trucks traveling in ideal conditions. When conditions are less than ideal, you should increase the amount of distance between you and the vehicle ahead; and,
  9. Beware of black ice. Roads that seem dry actually may be slippery and dangerous, so take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas.