Safer Winter Driving: Tips to Keep You and Your Team Safe

Winter is officially here, and with it comes the challenges of driving in snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. For those driving as part of their work, preparation and caution are essential to ensuring road safety. Employers should take this opportunity to discuss winter driving hazards with their teams and implement measures to control risks effectively.

Here are some essential tips for staying safe on the roads this winter:

Preparing Your Vehicle
Winter weather conditions demand extra care and preparation. A well-maintained vehicle and a stocked emergency kit can make all the difference.

1. Emergency Kit: Equip your vehicle with a winter driving kit that includes a snow shovel, ice scraper, extra windshield washer fluid, warm clothing, blankets, a flashlight with spare batteries, and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction. Check and replenish your kit monthly.
2. Vehicle Maintenance: Regular maintenance is key to avoiding breakdowns or mishaps in harsh conditions. Ensure your battery, brakes, and wiper blades are in good working order.
3. Winter Tires: Switch to winter tires before the first snowfall or when temperatures consistently drop below 7°C. Winter tires provide better grip and control on icy and snowy roads.
4. Gas Tank: Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent condensation from freezing in the fuel lines.

Preparing for the Drive
Before hitting the road, plan ahead to ensure a safe journey.

1. Plan Your Route: Check road and weather conditions using local resources like Manitoba 511. For longer distances share your travel plans and expected arrival time with someone you trust.
2. Avoid Fatigue: Rest well before driving and avoid setting off if you’re overly tired.
3. Warm Up Safely: Warm your vehicle to prevent window condensation, but never do so in an enclosed space like a garage.
4. Clear Your Vehicle: Remove all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof to maintain visibility and avoid endangering others on the road.
5. Safety Gear: Always wear your seatbelt and carry a charged cell phone for emergencies.

Keys to Safe Driving in Winter
Driving in winter requires adjusting your habits to suit the conditions.

1. Use Your Lights: With shorter daylight hours, ensure your vehicle’s lights are clean, functional and used appropriately.
2. Drive Smoothly: Avoid sudden accelerations, harsh braking, or sharp turns, which can cause loss of traction.
3. Maintain Distance: Increase your following distance to at least six seconds on highways and more in poor conditions. This allows extra time to react if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly.
4. Mind Your Speed: Speed limits are meant for ideal conditions. Drive slower in snow or icy weather, and avoid cruise control to maintain better control of your vehicle.
5. Stay Alert: Keep your focus on the road and avoid distractions, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Additional Resources for Employers
Employers have a critical role in promoting safe winter driving practices among their workers. Consider:

1. Training: Hold toolbox talks on winter driving safety. Resources like the SAFE Driving at Work toolkit offer ready-made materials to support your efforts.
2. Check-In Systems: Implement a program to track employees traveling for work, ensuring they’ve safely reached their destinations.
3. Safe Driving Program: Develop a workplace program tailored to your team’s needs, including policies for vehicle inspections, emergency response, and driver education.

Winter driving can be challenging, but with preparation and safety practices in place, you can reduce risks and ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations.

Stay safe and drive smart this winter!