{"id":403,"date":"2024-01-24T16:00:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fysiotherapieoverstegen.nl\/?p=403"},"modified":"2024-02-01T13:20:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T13:20:56","slug":"three-key-tips-for-safer-winter-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fysiotherapieoverstegen.nl\/index.php\/2024\/01\/24\/three-key-tips-for-safer-winter-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Three key tips for safer winter driving"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Winter<\/div>\n

If you or your staff drive for a living during Canadian winters, icy roads, blowing snow, and even highway closures can be detrimental to your business and your employees\u2019 safety. Here are three key tips on how you can help keep your company\u2019s driving record clean despite these conditions:<\/p>\n

1. Preventative maintenance<\/h3>\n

Preventative maintenance for your car is essential in the winter. Here are six things you should check in your company car before someone gets behind the wheel:<\/p>\n

Winter tires<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that you switch out your regular tires for winter tires, as there\u2019s a clear difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires. The special rubber compound in winter tires allows them to stay flexible and grip snow and ice for optimum traction.<\/p>\n

You should also check the air pressure in all four tires and your spare tire. In the winter, the pressure in tires tends to drop significantly due to the cold air, so routine checks throughout the winter months are a good idea.<\/p>\n

Batteries<\/strong><\/p>\n

Battery faults can cause breakdowns, especially during the winter when the drop in temperature can take a particularly high toll on a battery\u2019s life. Generally, the average battery life is three to five years. So, if you\u2019ve had your battery for more than five years and you\u2019re experiencing difficulties with starting your car, you may want to consider getting a new battery.<\/p>\n

Vehicle fluids<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any time before driving this winter, make sure your gas tank is full in case of a traffic jam or bad weather conditions that force you to pull over and idle for some time. If you haven\u2019t changed the engine oil in your car in a while, it\u2019s also a good idea to do that.<\/p>\n

Ensure you always have a sufficient amount of windshield washer fluid and replace engine coolants after more than two years.<\/p>\n

Wiper blades<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wiper blades are an important tool for winter driving, as they help ensure that you can always see the road ahead of you. It\u2019s important to check your wiper blades early in the season and replace blades if they streak.<\/p>\n

Brakes<\/strong><\/p>\n

The last thing anyone wants is to find out their brakes don\u2019t work at the most inopportune moment. This is especially true in the winter when there\u2019s a higher chance of ice on the road. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to service your brakes to ensure they\u2019re in proper working order.<\/p>\n

Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to make sure your car\u2019s lights are in good shape and can easily illuminate your drive, as it is darker a lot earlier in the winter months. Make sure to\u00a0fix any bulbs that are out<\/a>\u00a0and consider replacing any headlights that are foggy or yellow. Also remember to clear away any snow covering exterior lights before you set out on the road.<\/p>\n

2. Institute a Driver Policy<\/h3>\n

If you have employees that drive for your business, it is especially important that you put policies and procedures in place to promote responsible driving. A safe winter driving policy is a formal document that defines how your staff should drive your company\u2019s vehicles to keep themselves and others safe on the road. Having all your employees sign a Driver Policy reinforces the standards you expect them to follow when using company cars. It also reassures your drivers that they have your full support in case they get in an accident, so long as they\u2019re driving safely.<\/p>\n

3. Check your emergency roadside safety kit<\/h3>\n

Hazardous conditions often lead to road closures and long delays in help arriving at the scene of an accident. So make sure each of your cars has a stocked emergency roadside safety kit which includes:<\/p>\n

The basics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your company\u2019s emergency kit can be as extensive or as basic as you\u2019d like, but there are a few essentials that you should consider including in every single kit, such as:<\/p>\n