The Fleet Risk Management Series Presents: Even as the Weather Gets Colder, Risk Management Isn’t Over!

December 3, 2018

Unfortunately summer is over, and while the weather may not be as favorable, there are still many things to look forward to as the colder months approach us! We’ve got Christmas and New Years approaching and lots of snow ahead. Many new challenges are presented during the colder seasons that are not as prevailing during the warmer months, and it is critical that staff recognize these changing conditions and adjust their driving accordingly. While we can’t do anything about winter, there are many strategies and techniques we can use to prevent collisions from occurring during these months. In 2016, over half of reported collisions involving a TRCA fleet vehicle occurred during the winter months from November to March.

Tips for Winter Driving

One of the most difficult challenges drivers confront during this time is the weather. Weather may be beyond human control, but there are many actions drivers can take when driving in bad weather to reduce the likelihood and severity of an accident.

Pre-Trip Strategies

Before a driver even begins their journey, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the chance of a collision. If you feel yourself slipping and sliding as you walk to your car, it is highly likely that your vehicle will slip and lose traction as well. TRCA staff should always check the weather forecast and traffic conditions before departure to ensure that they can plan appropriately for extra travel time and choose the safest route available depending on the conditions. TRCA staff should never rely on the arrival time provided by a GPS.

The first thing any driver should do in snowy weather is increase your visibility while driving by removing snow and frost from all windows, the hood and the roof of the car. Snow that is left on the hood of a car can blow off while driving, blocking visibility through the front windshield and or endanger other road users. As removing snow from the car not only increases the safety of the driver and their passengers, but others as well by reducing hazards. Snow that blows off of a vehicle, particularly the roof, can decrease the visibility of drivers behind you and increases the risk of a collision.

TRCA staff should ensure headlights and taillights are working during the required pre-operation inspection because this increases your visibility to other motorists on the road. Staff can also adjust the standard pre-operating inspection by checking:

• Wiper blades
• Fluid levels
• Lights
• Exhaust pipe, to ensure it is clear of snow
• Defrosters, to ensure they are functional

Immediately after starting the car, check the fuel level to ensure it will not fall below 25% during the trip. This allows for extended travel time if required. In addition, TRCA staff should be extra cautious when entering and exiting vehicles, looking for hazards such as other motorists, puddles concealing large potholes and/or patches of ice.

Driving Strategies

There are several strategies that drivers can use to avoid a collision during all types of poor weather conditions:

1. Keeping a safe distance away from other vehicles and snow plows. Vehicles ahead can create clouds of snow, or have snow fly off the roof, significantly reducing your visibility. Keeping a safe distance also provides extra time and space to stop if conditions are wet and slippery. Drivers should also slow down when approaching an intersection and be ready to stop if the light changes.
2. Always use turn signals to indicate lane changes. This helps the motorists behind slow down and make space as you move, reducing the chance of an accident occurring behind you, or possibly being rear-ended.
3. Avoid using cruise control in poor weather conditions because this makes it easier to lose control of the vehicle.
4. Adjust your breaking for road conditions. In slippery conditions, apply even and steady breaking. Anti-lock brakes help retain control while braking; they DO NOT decrease the stopping time.
5. Do not accelerate or turn quickly, as this will increase the likelihood of losing control. If you do begin sliding, turn your wheels in the direction you want to travel.
6. Constantly scan the roads for and be mindful of hazards. Bridges, or other elevated structures, freeze faster then the roadway and may not always be clear of hazards. Black ice may also be present while driving which can significantly increase the chance of your vehicle sliding. Signs indicating black ice may be present include a build-up of ice on mirror arms, antennae or top corners of the windshield, or spray from the tires of the vehicle ahead of you.
7. Be a defensive and courteous driver! This will be further elaborated on in the next section.

Additional Tips for Driving in the Rain

Singing in the rain is fun but driving not so much. In addition to the above strategy, drivers can also take additional precautions when driving in the rain to reduce the likelihood of a collision. Rain reduces visibility, and faster speed increases the chance of hydroplaning, when the vehicle’s tires ride on top of the water, effectively reducing control of the vehicle. Drivers should try to drive on clear sections of the road by looking ahead and planning movement. In addition, avoid driving in puddles that may hide a large pothole that can damage vehicles and reduces brake effectiveness.

Additional Tips for Driving in the Snow

Drivers faced with snowy conditions must take extra caution and care, using their discretion to determine an appropriate speed based on the conditions. Be patient with other drivers who reduce their speed and avoid passing, changing lanes and crossing traffic. Increase following distance to provide extra space for safe braking. Ensure that vehicle lights are on to increase your visibility to other motorists. Drivers must keep windows and mirrors clean with defrosters and wipers to increase their line of sight. Stay alert at all times and look ahead for possible hazards, and reduce distractions inside the vehicle. If visibility is poor and you are unable to see clearly, pull into a safe parking area if possible.

What is a defensive driving?

Defensive driving is all about the attitude! A defensive driver takes reasonable precautions to prevent collisions, regardless of fault, and has an attitude of safety for all motorists on the road. A negative attitude can lead to road rage, collisions and even fatalities. A defensive driver deals with mistakes made by other drivers, and does not rely on other people to do the right thing. They are aware of their surroundings by focusing on the task at hand…..driving, and can foresee possible dangers. Examples of defensive driving include avoiding driving in the blind spots of others, and recognizing when road conditions require a speed lower than the posted limit.

Courteous Driving

­Defensive drivers are also courteous and go above and beyond the “rules of the road”. Courteous driving means signaling properly and giving other drivers space to change lanes, not cutting people off.

Tips to be a Defensive Driver

First and foremost, do not take your problems with you when you’re driving! This will lead to a negative attitude before you even begin your travel and can result in aggressive driving and road rage. Other tips include:

• Do not retaliate for what you believe is inconsiderate behavior
• Do not take the mistakes of other drivers personally
• Plan route in advance because lost drivers are more likely to be erratic and inconsiderate
• Be polite and let other drivers in front of you who are signaling
• Do not return aggression
• Know your vehicle’s stopping distance and be aware of your reaction distance
• Continuously scan for hazards including other motorists, vehicle emergencies and environment hazards.

Until Next Time…

There’s a lot of hustle and bustle with the holidays approaching, but it is important that you take your time while driving and plan ahead!

For those of you who decide to take a sleigh ride this holiday season, the Highway Traffic Act (Section 77) requires every person on a highway with a sleigh or sled drawn by a horse to have at least two bells! Anyone in violation of this may be subject to a fine of $5.