toolbox talk - winter driving · winter driving introduction: hazards associated with driving...

WinterDriving

Introduction:

Hazardsassociatedwithdrivingduringwinterweatherconditions,includingdrivingonwet,icyorsnow-packedroadsincrease,makingitriskytodriveintheseadverseconditions.Itisimportanttopreparefordrivingintheseconditionsasemergenciescanhappenatanytime.Preparationcanhelpwithhowonehandlestheemergencyandmakesforasafertrip.

Beforeyouventureoutinadverseconditions,prepareyourselfmentallybeforeyougetbehindthewheel.Taketimetoevaluatethesituation,andpreparetoactquicklywhenmakingdecisions,andavoidalldistractionsthatwouldimpairyourdecisionmaking,leadingtoanaccident.

DiscussionPoints:

• CarMaintenance–checkbattery,fluidlevels,hoses,tires,lightsandwindshieldwipers.Keepfuellevelaboveahalf-tankduringthewintermonths.

• EmergencySupplies–sand,shovel,brush,scraper,warningdevices,tirechains,jumpercables,

toolkit,firstaidkit,blankets,warmclothing,water,food,medications,stringandscissorsandacompass.

• PlanYourRoute–checkweatherforecast,mapanddirections,allowextratimeforarrival,and

informothersofyourplans.

• LearntoDriveinSnowandonIce–understandhowtohandleyourvehicleincludingsteeringandbraking,slowdownandallowmoredistancebetweenvehicles,andavoidstopping.

Discussion:

AccordingtotheFederalMotorCarrierSafetyAdministration(FMCSA),youshouldreduceyourspeedby1/3onwetroadsandby1/2ormoreonsnow-packedroads.

Itisalwaysbettertoavoidputtingyourselfinadangeroussituation,ifyoudonothavetogooutinhazardouswinterweatherconditionsorifindoubt,stayhome!However,ifyoumusttravelinadverseconditions,beawareofyoursurroundingsandmakegooddecisions.Knowhowandwhentorecognizedanger,andwhenitistimetopullofftheroadintoaprotectedrestareaandwaitfortheconditionstoimprovebeforecontinuingyourtrip.

Asalways,besafeoutthere!

February 25, 2019