Spring is just around the corner, and while that may mean less ice and snow on the roads, it doesn’t mean that driving hazards are completely eliminated. In fact, the spring brings with it a whole new set of driving hazards that fleet drivers need to be aware of.
In order to ensure the safety of your fleet drivers, other drivers on the road and pedestrians, it is vital that you educate your drivers about the potential driving dangers that the spring presents. By educating your drivers about safe spring driving, you can ensure maximum safety.
- Be mindful of potholes. The freezing, thawing and refreezing on roadways during the winter can lead to serious damage; not to mention the damage that snow plow blades can do. Potholes are a big concern in the spring and driving through them can wreck havoc on a vehicle. Being mindful, reducing speed and avoiding potholes is vital in the spring.
- Rainy days – Spring showers may bring May flowers, but they can also create treacherous driving conditions. Sudden and heavy rain can reduce visibility and can make for slippery roadways. Drivers should slow down, turn on their lights and stay a safe distance from other vehicles when it rains.
- Between those spring showers and melting snow, flooding is another concern that drivers face in the spring. Drivers should try to avoid flooded roadways at all costs; however, it avoiding a flooded area is not an option, driving slowly and through the middle of a puddle can reduce the risk of flooding out an engine. When in doubt, the best decision is to pull over and try to find an alternate route.
- Replace wiper blades. Make sure to replace the wiper blades on your entire fleet of vehicles. Windshield wipers that don’t work properly are ineffective, making it difficult for drivers to see out of their windows. This not only causes a dangerous situation for your drivers, but for other drivers, pedestrians and animals.
- More animal activity. Animals that hibernate are waking up in the spring, and those who migrate make their return. This influx in animal activity can increase dangers on the roads. Driving slowly and being alert, especially in areas where wildlife is known to live, is extremely important. It is also important to note that some animals, like deer and raccoons, are more active at dawn and dusk.
- More pedestrians. The warmer temperatures and longer days of spring mean that more people are out and about. More children are outside playing, more people are walking, biking or running. With more pedestrians on the road, it is crucial for your fleet drivers to be alert, and it is also important that they observe laws that give pedestrians the right of way.
- Watch for black ice. The temperatures can still dip to below freezing in the spring, which can lead to black ice. Exercise caution if roadways are wet and the temperature dips.
By following these tips, you can ensure the safety of your fleet drivers and everyone else they share the road with. Be sure to keep you protected with commercial auto insurance and your employees with workers’ compensation insurance.
