Is driving a necessary part of your company’s operation? During the winter months driving safely can be more challenging than usual when weather conditions bring ice, snow, or rain. Glenn Martin Insurance wants you and your employees to be safe when on the road. Whether driving to meet customers or sending a fleet of vehicles out for deliveries, make sure your employees understand these safe driving tactics before they get started.

On The Road

• When poor weather reduces visibility, drive smoothly, allowing plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead.
• Activate your directional signals far in advance when visibility is poor.
• Remember, water accumulates in underpasses and can create icy patches, and overpasses may freeze sooner than adjoining road surfaces.
• Put your low-beam headlights on in rain, snow or on a dull day.
• Keep the inside of windows clear and dry for good visibility.

Accelerating and Braking

• Ice is more slippery when the temperature is right at the freezing point than when it is well below freezing.
• Start off slowly on ice or snow so the wheels don’t spin and lose traction.
• If the road is slippery, start braking earlier and allow more time and space to come to a full stop.
• If you skid, counter-steer and aim in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. Keep the nose of your vehicle out front.
• If your vehicle has an anti-lock brake system or traction control, make sure you know how it works.
• Read the owner’s manual and test breaking systems to see that they are working properly.

Carbon Monoxide Alert
Be on guard against carbon monoxide, a byproduct of your vehicle’s exhaust. This is especially important in bad weather, when we are more likely to park indoors and keep the car windows sealed tightly. Never warm up your vehicle in a garage, and keep one window slightly open when driving. If you feel sleepy or groggy, stop your vehicle, get out and walk around.

Never leave the engine running while sleeping or resting inside a standing vehicle and keep exhaust systems maintained.

Increase Your Following Distance
In poor weather conditions, it is essential to leave more distance between your vehicle and the one ahead than you normally would. The Timed Interval Rule is to allow a minimum of 4 seconds of space between your vehicle and the one you are following, under ideal conditions. For vehicles over 40 feet, add 1 additional second for each 10 feet (or portion of 10 feet) of vehicle length. In bad weather, the rule is to double or triple that amount.

Safe driving skills can help keep you forewarned and forearmed, ready to meet the challenge of driving safely in inclement weather. Glenn Martin Insurance wishes you safe travels!

Contact Glenn Martin Insurance for all of your business insurance needs at 502-245-8870 or[email protected].