Seasonal driving
Weather can have a significant impact on driving conditions, regardless of the time of year. A defensive driver will always assume, and be prepared for the worst in any condition. Fleet drivers need to assess and adjust to adverse driving conditions to avoid weather related incidents or emergencies.
No matter the season, or the road condition, the one part (well could be up to 18 or more really) that has the biggest impact on overall performance is your tires. There is only a small patch of contact that creates the bond between the vehicle and the road should.
Tires should be inflated correctly to provide maximum traction. Under inflation can cause difficulty with steering and braking, accelerate tire wear and reduce fuel economy.
Spring Driving Tips
Even when the roads are clear of ice and snow during the day, water from melting snow originating from the shoulder or sides of the road may collect and freeze on the road when temperatures drop below freezing in the evening or at night. Black ice can form as a result, and create a serious hazard for the unwary driver. Be wary of areas that look wet as things aren’t always as they seem.
Another by-product of the spring melt, is additional grit and sand on the road and the road shoulders. Grit and sand on top of the asphalt, actually reduces grip compared to bare asphalt alone and should be looked out for particularly when approaching intersections and stop signs.
TIP: Always watch for spray coming off your vehicles tires or those of the vehicle ahead of you. No spray in most cases is indicative of icy or below freezing slippery road conditions.
During spring salt leaches into the ditches on either side of the road. On remote roads, the salt residue can attract wildlife, such as deer and moose. These large animals can be dangerously close or even on the roadway itself to find salt, posing a significant risk to unwary drivers. Be extra careful when driving through remote areas known to have deer and moose, especially when travelling at night.
Another phenomenon associated with the warmer weather of spring, is called freeze thaw syndrome, that causes rapid road deterioration and potholes. Melting snow can cause unpaved road shoulders to be much softer than usual. Use extra caution when pulling off the pavement onto soft shoulders.
Fall Driving Tips
Frost is common in the fall. Use caution when driving on bridges or overpasses. Tree-lined streets and roads or anywhere else Shadows cross highways, be sure to watch out. Black ice typically forms under overpasses, on bridges, in shaded areas or wet pavement after the temperature falls below freezing. Use caution when approaching a bridge or overpass. Steer smooth, stay off the throttle and brake gently if required.
Fall rainstorms can cause leaf covered roads to be extremely slippery. Fog is statistically the single most dangerous condition a driver can encounter, as it can severely limit visibility and impact your ability to perceive distance. When driving in fog, do the following:
Slow downKeep your lights on low beamsIf equipped turn on fog lightsTurn on four way flashersUse extreme caution
Summer Driving Tips
As drivers we tend to let our guard down during the summer. It is important to remain focused and aware of the following hazards. Glare from the sun can reduce or limit visibility. Be sure to keep a clean and unscratched pair of sunglasses handy. Clean the vehicle windshield regularly inside and out. Have damaged or worn wiper blades replaced immediately.
Summer thunderstorms and heavy rain may cause roadways to become extremely slippery. So stay away from puddles when travelling at high speed to avoid hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is a phenomenon said to occur when a vehicle travels through excessive water buildup on the road at high speed causing the vehicle to float on a layer of water. Hydroplaning can be extremely dangerous, as the tires lose direct contact with the road making it impossible to steer or brake.
TIP: If such conditions exist, slow down and avoid sudden steering inputs or brake applications, as they can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you experience the sensation that your vehicle is floating while driving on a wet road, steer straight and gently back off the throttle until you feel the tires make contact with the road surface. If you encounter a heavy downpour that significantly reduces your visibility or interferes with the control of your vehicle, pull off the road and turn on your four way flashers.
Winter Driving Tips
Look ahead, be prepared to stop and always brake well in advance. Remember, stopping distance increases significantly during the winter. Especially when roads have ice and snow on them adjust your speed before entering a curve to avoid braking in the curve.
If you lose control when slowing or stopping on ice or snow, place the transmission in neutral or disengage the clutch in a manual transmission vehicle, and apply steady brake pressure without locking the wheels to gain control of the vehicle.
ABS EQUIPPED – DO NOT PUMP THE BRAKES!
If the vehicle you’re driving has hydraulic anti-lock brakes, also referred to as ABS, you’ll feel a vibration in your foot to the brake pedal when maximum threshold braking is applied. That is the anti-lock working. Let it do its job, as the ABS will slow the vehicle down in the least distance possible while maintaining steering control. When this happens, focus all of your attention on steering and look at where you want to go to avoid any obstacles. When you look at the accident or obstacle, you will end up target fixating and increase the likelihood of becoming part of the accident. Look where you want to go.
Rapid acceleration or deceleration can be hazardous on ice and snow. Accelerating too fast or braking too suddenly can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. If your non-ABS vehicle goes into a skid, release the brakes, steer clear then reapply the brakes if required.
You cannot steer a vehicle once the front wheels have locked.
If your company requires fleet management services, contact Glen Ridge Fleet today. We offer a Total Fleet Management Program to help you and your company with the ongoing management and optimization of your fleet. Contact us for more information on how your company can benefit from outsourcing your fleet management needs.