Autumn is here, bringing the usual set of hazards unique to the season. Study these tips and ensure that you and your fleet are ready for the worst of this Autumn’s driving conditions.
- Check the vehicle’s battery before winter arrives. In the winter strain is placed on the battery with lights, heated screens, seats, and the air conditioner to demist and keep us warm. If there are any signs of the battery struggling now, it’s likely to let you down as it gets colder.
- Now is a good time to check antifreeze levels. Antifreeze contains additives that prevent corrosion, and during the summer it helps keep the engine from overheating.
- Make sure headlights form part of your vehicle checks. It’s dangerous for drivers and other road users if your lights do not work properly and with autumn meaning fewer daylight hours you need to be able to rely on correctly working and adjusted lights.
- Top up the windscreen washer with de-icing additive – the colder it gets the stronger the solution needs to be.
- The low angle of the sun in autumn months can cause drivers to become dazzled, so make sure to use sunglasses and sun visors – If you are dazzled, slow down immediately.
- Again, make sure windscreen wipers are part of your vehicle checks. If they begin to blur the front or windscreen or begin to make unusual noises, it’s time to replace them with new ones.
- Autumn debris such as leaves and pine needles can obscure potholes, and road markings, and increase stopping distances. Effective driver training such as Driving for Work can help drivers to anticipate problems such as these, especially for business drivers who may make trips on unfamiliar roads.
- Watch out for animals. October through to December is considered the highest risk of deer collisions in the UK, so take notice of any wildlife signs that you come across and take extra care.
IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman said: “As the temperature drops, your car is a nice cosy place to be when it is working properly – sound preparation will help your journey go smoothly. Drivers must also stay alert for blocked drains and localised flooding at this time of year. Your aim should always be to have a clear view of the changing seasons around you, and for other road users to be able to see you.”
IAM RoadSmart offers Vehicle Familiarisation courses that ensure drivers know how to correctly carry out some of the checks mentioned in these tips. Our driver training courses such as Driving for Work also teache a broad range of skills to those drive a car or LCV as part of their working life, helping to build a more resilient fleet that can deal with changing weather more effectively.
