Greetings, February Fleet Friends!
While Punxsutawney Phil may steal the spotlight for predicting winter’s fate, fleet drivers know the real truth—February’s weather is anything but predictable. This month may be short, but it packs a punch (and we are not just talking about that heart shaped holiday) with black ice, dense fog, relentless rain, and powerful wind gusts—all of which can turn a routine fleet route into a high-stakes challenge.
But fleet safety is not just about reacting to bad weather—it is about developing the right driving behaviors to anticipate hazards, adapt in real-time, and stay in control, no matter what surprises the road has in store.
⚠️ Watch Out for These February Road Risks
✅ Black Ice Camouflage – It is called “black ice” for a reason: it blends in with the road surface, making it nearly impossible to see. Fleet drivers must assume that ice is present anytime temperatures hover near freezing, especially in the early morning and late evening.
🔹 Fleet Safety Fix: Slow down before bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas—these spots freeze first. Gentle steering, braking, and acceleration are key to maintaining control. If you hit a patch of black ice, stay calm, take your foot off the gas, and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go.
✅ Fog Blind Spots – Heavy fog does more than make it hard to see the road ahead—it distorts depth perception, blurs lane markings, and conceals pedestrians and other vehicles. Fleet drivers who overestimate their visibility in fog can find themselves in dangerous chain-reaction crashes.
🔹 Fleet Safety Fix: Use low-beam headlights, never high beams (which reflect light back at you), and increase following distance. If the fog is too thick to see clearly, consider pulling over to a safe location and waiting for visibility to improve—no delivery or deadline is worth the risk of driving blind.
✅ Hydroplaning Hotspots – Wet roads are deceptively dangerous. Even light rain lifts oil from the pavement, turning the road into a fleet-sized slip-and-slide. Water builds up under tires at speeds as low as 35 mph, causing a sudden loss of control.
🔹 Fleet Safety Fix: The best way to prevent hydroplaning is reducing speed and avoiding sudden steering or braking. Make sure fleet tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread—balding tires significantly increase the risk of losing traction. If hydroplaning occurs, ease off the gas and steer straight until traction is regained.
✅ Snow and Slush Sneak Attacks – Many fleet drivers think snow is only a problem when roads are covered, but melting snow and slush can be just as hazardous. Slush often hides a layer of ice beneath, making it just as slippery as untreated snow.
🔹 Fleet Safety Fix: Gently accelerate and brake to maintain traction, and avoid using cruise control in winter conditions—it can make the vehicle respond unpredictably to slippery surfaces. Turn into a skid rather than overcorrecting, which can lead to jackknifing in larger fleet vehicles.
✅ Wind Gusts and Lane Drifting – Strong crosswinds can push fleet vehicles off course, especially when driving on open highways, overpasses, or near large trucks. Box trucks, vans, and other high-profile fleet vehicles are particularly vulnerable to wind-induced lane drifting.
🔹 Fleet Safety Fix: Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and stay aware of wind-prone areas. Reduce speed to maintain control, and if carrying cargo, ensure that it is evenly loaded to minimize swaying.
❄️ Fleet Safety Requires More Than Just Awareness – It Requires Training
Fleet drivers encounter high-risk weather conditions regularly, but knowing about these risks is not enough—they must also develop the right behaviors to mitigate them. That is where proper inclement weather defensive driver training makes all the difference.
The NTSI Inclement Weather SAFER Fleet Driver Training Program provides fleet drivers with performance-based defensive driving techniques designed to:
✔ Adjust to changing visibility, road conditions, and hazardous weather
✔ Master speed and braking control to prevent skids and loss of traction
✔ Improve vehicle preparation and response to ever-changing conditions
✔ Integrate advanced driving techniques, in-depth classroom instruction, and simulation-based training
🚛 Fleet Managers: Weather may be unpredictable, but fleet safety should never be. Equip your drivers with the skills to adapt, anticipate, and take control—no matter what the road throws at them.
🔗 Train Your Fleet for Winter Weather Readiness Today with the NTSI Inclement Weather Program
Stay SAFER this season—fleet safety is not just about the vehicle; it is about the driver behind the wheel, the choices they make in critical moments, and the training they receive to recognize, react to, and recover from hazardous conditions before an incident occurs.
A well-trained fleet driver not only protects themselves and others on the road but also helps keep your company safe from liability, costly accidents, and unexpected downtime. Investing in proper inclement weather training means fewer collisions, reduced repair costs, and a healthier bottom line—because when fleet drivers are prepared, businesses thrive.
Until next week, stay safe, stay prepared, and keep an eye on those weather-predicting rodents—they may have a shadow, but they do not have a CDL! 🚛❄️🐾
