The snow may not be falling and the ice may not be building up along the shoulders of roads, but Old Man Winter will arrive soon. Do you remember what he taught us last year?
We learned last winter which roads proved difficult in winter weather; which of the usual parking spots were filled when the snow fell; and which customer locations took a little longer to reach. Now is the time to remember those lessons and adjust schedules and routes.
Also, Old Man Winter advised drivers to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and to be patient when dealing with road closures and traffic accidents. With Old Man Winter providing slippery traction, drivers should carefully pull off the road in a safe location before calling back to the terminal for new routing instructions.
At the terminal, dispatchers should be at the ready with National Weather Service radio stations, state DOT websites that provide information on road closures, and government sites for emergency declarations. Open communication between dispatchers and drivers can meet anything Old Man Winter may throw your way.
See also: Clark: Top 12 tips to prepare your fleet for winter
Back on the road, the effects of Old Man Winter will be fought by valiant snowplow drivers. Let your drivers know that snowplows should be given time and a wide berth ... the clear roads that plows provide are well worth the wait.
One of the lessons Old Man Winter teaches is how quickly we can forget what we have learned. That’s why winter driving should be part of your next safety meeting. As awkward as it may be around veteran drivers, now may be the time to have them practice installing and removing tire chains.
If your company uses the PrePass App, you are already a step ahead of Old Man Winter. Your drivers will receive alerts about upcoming road safety conditions, such as traffic incidents, weather, gusty wind areas, chain-up locations, and available truck parking.
Now is the time to prepare for Old Man Winter and remember what he taught us in seasons past.
