Greetings, Fleet Drivers and Rain-Ready Road Warriors!
The rainy roads have returned in Washington! At NTSI Fleet, headquartered in Washington, we know firsthand how quickly wet conditions can turn hazardous. Just this past week alone we have seen severe weather-related incidents, including landslides that closed northbound I-5 in Bellingham and a 45-car pileup near Kent.
These events emphasize a key lesson for fleet drivers: preparation and proactive safety measures are essential when navigating challenging weather.
While we might be homegrown in Washington, NTSI is proud to provide fleet safety training for drivers across every state. Our Inclement Weather Module, part of our SAFER Driver™ Challenge Fleet Training Program, equips fleet drivers with vital strategies for handling rainy roads, snow, and other adverse conditions no matter where they are located.
With November heralding the coming wintry weather driving challenges, let’s hit the road with some essential fleet safety tips to keep your drivers and vehicles ready:
🚛 Tire Health is Non-Negotiable for Fleet Safety.
Tires are a fleet’s first line of defense in adverse weather conditions. Beyond routine tread checks, ensure that all fleet vehicle tires are rotated regularly and inspect for uneven wear patterns, which could indicate alignment or suspension issues. Maintaining proper tire pressure, especially as temperatures fluctuate, is crucial to ensuring reliable traction and overall fleet safety.
🛑 Double the Distance, Triple the Fleet’s Safety.
On wet or icy roads, reaction time is crucial for fleet drivers. Ensure your drivers are trained to increase following distances by at least double and extend even further when visibility is compromised. This additional buffer can be the deciding factor between a safe stop and a costly fleet collision, protecting both drivers and assets.
🔑 Visibility Is Key for Fleet Safety.
Clear visibility is essential for fleet drivers and is often overlooked until it’s too late. Make it standard practice to inspect and replace worn wiper blades seasonally and ensure washer fluid with antifreeze properties is used during colder months. Fleet vehicles should have clean headlights and taillights to maximize illumination, as grime and buildup can significantly reduce light output, impacting overall safety.
🛣️ Master Smooth Maneuvering for Fleet Safety.
Fleet drivers must adjust their driving techniques to manage inclement conditions effectively. Train your drivers to accelerate gradually to maintain control, avoid sudden steering corrections, and apply brakes with steady, controlled pressure. These practices help prevent skidding, particularly when navigating turns or intersections where hidden hazards like black ice or deep puddles may be present, ensuring both driver and vehicle safety.
🌍 Think Global, Act Local.
While we proudly draw on our Washington roots, where weather demands constant vigilance from fleet drivers, our expertise extends well beyond regional boundaries. NTSI Fleet has teams and offices coast to coast and everywhere in between, bringing firsthand experience with diverse weather challenges. Our New Yorkers routinely navigate severe winter storms, while our team in South Carolina just recently weathered hurricanes and their aftermath. Even our California office has to deal with wild weather (yes, yes, they really do!).
NTSI understands that true fleet safety lies in being prepared for and adaptable to any weather scenario, no matter where your routes take you.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep your fleet moving forward!
