Winter Driving Safety Capsule Tips
Capsule Tips are easy-to-use reminders about winter driving safety for workers. Simply copy and paste the text to a staff email, and/or to internal newsletters, memos, and your intranet (if you have one). You can also post to bulletin boards in lunchrooms and other locations frequented by staff. Each Capsule Tip focuses on a specific aspect of winter driving safety.
Tip 1: Think you know all about winter?
Winter can be beautiful – especially when a fresh layer of snow covers the ground. But if you drive for work, that beauty means danger on the road. Freezing temperatures, rain, snow, black ice, fog, and reduced daylight hours are just a few of the elements that winter throws our way – sometimes in a single workday. In fact, during the winter months, the number of casualty crashes due to driving too fast for the conditions nearly doubles from almost 121 in October to over 234 in December.*
If you drive for work full time or part time, make sure you’re up to the challenge:
· Prepare yourself: Decide if you really have to go. If you do, plan your route ahead of time by listening to the radio or visiting DriveBC.ca. Give yourself lots of time so you’re not rushing to your destination.
· Prepare your vehicle: Use four matched winter tires with the winter logo and check your tire pressure at least once a month. Do a pre-winter check-up on your vehicle and report any concerns to your Supervisor. Keep your gas tank full to avoid condensation and the freezing of your fuel lines. Carry a winter survival kit.
· Drive for the conditions: Allow extra time for work travel so you’re not rushing. Reduce your speed and increase the distance between you and vehicle in front. Avoid sudden movements – accelerate and brake slowly. Learn how to drive for different conditions like snow, ice, rain, and fog.
· If you become stuck or stranded, stay in your vehicle for warmth and safety and follow company procedures.
Know before you go.
Before heading out in challenging conditions decide if the trip can be delayed.
If you must go:
· Visit DriveBC.ca for current road conditions.
· Visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca for tips on ways to prepare yourself, your vehicle, and how to drive safely on winter roads.
Whether you’re driving for work or pleasure, the above tips will increase your winter driving safety. Feel free to forward them to friends and family.
*(ICBC Casualty Crashes by Contributing Factor. Driving Too Fast for the Conditions. 2009 – 2013 Police Reported Data)
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