Fleet Management Tips for Winter
23 Jan 2020Fleet management is even more essential in the wintertime and helps to ensure your fleet drivers’ safety. More than 5,891,000 vehicle accidents occur every year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Around 21% (almost 1,235,000) of these accidents are due to the weather.
These accidents occur in adverse weather like:
- Sleet
- Rain
- Fog
- Snow
- Blowing snow/debris/sand
- Severe crosswinds
They also occur on slick pavement like slushy/snowy pavement, wet pavement or icy pavement.
Aside from battling the weather, low-visibility and slippery roads, fleets are also working against the clock. Hours-of-service limitations and expectations of on-time deliveries can place pressure on your drivers, causing them to make hazardous mistakes. To keep your fleet drivers safe, here are some fleet management tips for winter:
- Be cautious in adverse weather like snow, rain, wind, fog and sleet and slow down.
- Be sure to always buckle up. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), safety belts decrease the risk of fatal injuries by 45%.
- Inspect your vehicles in the fall and spring to ensure they’re winter-ready.
- Provide your drivers with necessary equipment, like tire chains, to brave the winter roads.
- Establish a culture of safety with your fleet and clients that places safe arrivals over on-time arrivals.
- Provide your drivers with necessary training and education to handle on-road hazards such as tire skidding and traction.
- Remind your drivers to conduct thorough pre- and post-trip inspections.
- Gas up. Your vehicles’ fuel levels shouldn’t drop below a half of a tank of gas. This is because water vapor can build up on the bottom of the vehicle’s gas tank, which can then be drawn into the fuel line, freezing up in the winter time. The frozen fuel line will keep the engine from starting. Reduce risks of frozen fuel lines by adding gas-line antifreeze.
- Don’t forget other fluids. Fuel isn’t your vehicles’ only essential fluid to take into consideration when creating a winter fleet maintenance plan. Fluids important for properly maintaining your vehicles in the wintertime include coolants, oil, windshield, battery, brake and power steering fluids.
- Use GPS fleet management software. Fleet management software can help you better assess your drivers’ weaknesses and strengths for more tailored, hands-on coaching. It comes with GPS tracking so you can use this technology to monitor the location of your vehicles, initiate weather notifications to your drivers and ensure jobs are being completed as smoothly as possible.
An adequate fleet management system, including the use of GPS fleet management software, can help you winterize your fleet vehicles and implement an effective fleet winter maintenance plan. Contact us here at LiveViewGPS at 1-888-544-0494 to learn more.
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