Three key suggestions for safer winter driving – TruShield

In case you or your employees drive for a residing throughout Canadian winters, icy roads, blowing snow, and even freeway closures could be detrimental to your corporation and your staff’ security. Listed here are three key tips about how one can assist maintain your organization’s driving document clear regardless of these situations:

1. Preventative upkeep

Preventative upkeep to your automobile is crucial within the winter. Listed here are six issues you must examine in your organization automobile earlier than somebody will get behind the wheel:

Winter tires

It’s necessary that you simply change out your common tires for winter tires, as there’s a transparent distinction in efficiency between winter tires and all-season tires. The particular rubber compound in winter tires permits them to remain versatile and grip snow and ice for optimum traction.

You also needs to examine the air stress in all 4 tires and your spare tire. Within the winter, the stress in tires tends to drop considerably as a result of chilly air, so routine checks all through the winter months are a good suggestion.

Batteries

Battery faults could cause breakdowns, particularly in the course of the winter when the drop in temperature can take a very excessive toll on a battery’s life. Typically, the common battery life is three to 5 years. So, for those who’ve had your battery for greater than 5 years and also you’re experiencing difficulties with beginning your automobile, chances are you’ll need to think about getting a brand new battery.

Car fluids

Any time earlier than driving this winter, be certain that your gasoline tank is full in case of a visitors jam or dangerous climate situations that power you to tug over and idle for a while. In case you haven’t modified the engine oil in your automobile shortly, it’s additionally a good suggestion to try this.

Make sure you all the time have a adequate quantity of windshield washer fluid and change engine coolants after greater than two years.

Wiper blades

Wiper blades are an necessary instrument for winter driving, as they assist guarantee which you can all the time see the street forward of you. It’s necessary to examine your wiper blades early within the season and change blades in the event that they streak.

Brakes

The very last thing anybody needs is to search out out their brakes don’t work on the most inopportune second. That is very true within the winter when there’s the next probability of ice on the street. That’s why it’s necessary to service your brakes to make sure they’re in correct working order.

Lighting

It’s necessary to verify your automobile’s lights are in good condition and might simply illuminate your drive, as it’s darker rather a lot earlier within the winter months. Ensure that to fix any bulbs that are out and think about changing any headlights which are foggy or yellow. Additionally bear in mind to clear away any snow overlaying exterior lights earlier than you set out on the street.

2. Institute a Driver Coverage

When you’ve got staff that drive for your corporation, it’s particularly necessary that you simply put insurance policies and procedures in place to advertise accountable driving. A secure winter driving coverage is a proper doc that defines how your employees ought to drive your organization’s autos to maintain themselves and others secure on the street. Having all of your staff signal a Driver Coverage reinforces the requirements you count on them to comply with when utilizing firm vehicles. It additionally reassures your drivers that they’ve your full assist in case they get in an accident, as long as they’re driving safely.

3. Verify your emergency roadside security package

Hazardous situations usually result in street closures and lengthy delays in assist arriving on the scene of an accident. So be certain that every of your vehicles has a stocked emergency roadside security package which incorporates:

The fundamentals

Your organization’s emergency package could be as intensive or as primary as you’d like, however there are a number of necessities that you must think about together with in each single package, similar to:

• A shovel
• Tow rope or chain
• Booster cables
• Gasoline line antifreeze
• A small instrument package
• A fireplace extinguisher

To alert rescuers

It doesn’t damage to have the mandatory tools to assist make sure you get assist if you want it. In an effort to do that, you must pack the next objects:

• Street flares or warning lights
• Vibrant material to make use of as a flag
• ‘Name Police’ signal
• Flashlight and further batteries

In case you’re trapped in a snowstorm

In the course of the colder months, it’s much more harmful to be stranded in your automobile. Having these key objects in your package might assist maintain you heat and effectively fed when you look forward to assist:

• Emergency meals (non-perishable similar to canned fruit, nuts, sweet, biscuits, crackers, cookies, dried beef, honey)
• Additional clothes and footwear
• Blankets
• Matches
• Bottled water
• A candle and small tin
• Can opener and pocket knife
• First help package

Some listed objects could not assist forestall incidents, however they will nonetheless cease delays from turning into disasters, or small accidents from turning into emergencies.

Shield your self and your corporation

Whereas you can also make each effort to keep away from an emergency, generally issues can nonetheless go unsuitable. That’s why it’s necessary to be as ready as attainable. For extra methods to guard your self and your corporation, go to our commercial auto insurance page right now!

This weblog is supplied for info solely and isn’t an alternative to skilled recommendation. We make no representations or warranties relating to the accuracy or completeness of the knowledge and won’t be chargeable for any loss arising out of reliance on the knowledge.