5 Winter Driving Safety Tips for Employees

What are Winter Driving Safety Tips?

Winter driving safety tips refer to the recommended best practices and precautions devised to help drivers stay safe while driving during the winter months. These tips aim to reduce injuries and avoid accidents caused by winter-related hazards such as snow, ice, sleet, and reduced visibility. In addition, these tips can benefit employees who commute to work or drive as part of their job. By following these practices, employees can protect themselves and others while ensuring business operations continue safely during the winter season.

Importance

Winter driving safety tips play an important role in minimizing risks, preventing accidents, and protecting drivers, passengers, and pedestrians during the winter season. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crashes in snow or sleet caused 320 fatalities and over 22,000 injuries. This goes to show how important safe driving habits are during winter.

With the right preparation, winter driving can be made a lot safer. These simple measures help drivers stay  confident and in control, even when road conditions turn bad.

Regulations

Safe driving in winter starts with preparing employees and their vehicles for the worst possible outcome. In Canada, drivers are required by law to use winter tires, properly buckle in children, and clear snow off of vehicles.Laws may differ in each province, so it’s important to check before driving.

In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe Winter Driving guide emphasizes three guiding principles for winter driving safety:

• Prepare: Conduct proper vehicle maintenance, carry essential winter supplies, carefully plan the route ahead of time, and practice winter driving skills.

• Protect Yourself: Always wear seat belts, use child safety seats, and keep children 12 and under in the back seat for maximum safety.

• Prevent Crashes: Avoid driving under the influence. Stay alert, take regular breaks, and keep watch for pedestrians and other vehicles.

5 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving safely in the winter is about preparation as much as it is about responsible and defensive maneuvering. Here are five simple tips to stay safe on the road:

Prepare your vehicle

Before driving in winter conditions, ensure that all employee vehicles are properly prepared and maintained for safe operations. Here are a few things to get ready before hitting the road:

• Schedule a comprehensive tune-up to confirm that all systems are functioning smoothly, and promptly address any mechanical issues.

• Verify that brake lights are working correctly, and consider installing winter windshield wiper blades along with antifreeze wiper fluid for improved visibility.

• Ensure they have enough gas to reach the next service station so that they don’t run out in harsh weather.

Know the route in advance

Before heading out, employees should research their planned route. Here’s what to look for during this step:

• Check local traffic websites for updates on road closures, weather conditions, and potential hazards.

• Delay travel if conditions appear unsafe.

• Review the routes ahead of time to avoid checking maps while driving.

Pack an emergency kit

Creating a well-stocked emergency kit is essential to keep drivers safe, warm, fed, and hydrated if they become stranded. It should also include tools to help alleviate the emergency situation. Recommended items include:

• a first aid kit;

• non-perishable food and drinking water;

• warm clothing and blankets;

• flashlight with extra batteries, candles or matches;

• jumper cables;

• traction aids (sand, kitty litter, or road salt);

• a small shovel or ice scraper;

• charged portable phone charger; and

• extra fuel.

Take it slow

Speeding in icy roads greatly increases the risk of accidents. Driving cautiously—even at slower paces—is important for ensuring their safety and the safety of others. It’s also best to:

• Require drivers to slow down and maintain extra space on the road.

• Keep at least an 8–10 second following distance from the vehicle ahead to allow sufficient time to react.

• Drive at or below the posted speed limit in dangerous conditions, accelerating and braking gradually to prevent skidding.

• Take extra precaution when approaching intersections, bridges, ramps, and shaded areas, and passing other vehicles or snowplows should only be done when it is absolutely safe.

Have an emergency response plan in place

Include a clear emergency response plan within your lone worker safety policy to ensure all employees know what to do in the event of an accident or when stranded, even in areas without mobile coverage. Mitti (by SafetyCulture)'s lone worker safety helps teams:

• Monitor and report on activities in real time

• Share live locations

• Trigger discrete panic alarms

• Receive regular check-ins

• Report hazards or incidents quickly

• Complete safety checks before, during, and after their drives