Polar weather conditions are set to descend on the UK this weekend
An ‘arctic blast’ has been forecast, which is set to plunge the UK into subzero temperatures, and could blanket much of the north of the country in ice and snow.
With 7 in every 10 UK drivers scared to drive in the snow, now is the time to ensure your drivers are equipped to face the conditions safely and confidently.
For an easy boost to your fleet’s winter driving ability, ensure your drivers are familiar with our Winter driving Tips.
An arctic blast is when northerly winds bring cold air from arctic regions to UK shores, causing a significant drop in temperatures.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Wednesday which covers the north of Scotland, and also said that “some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services”.
As bad weather puts staff under pressure, employers are in a position to make life easier for their staff by considering taking actions like these:
- Switching from in-person meetings to allowing people to dial in using Teams, Zoom, or any other software with the right capability.
- Allow team members work from home during periods of hazardous weather.
- Adapt timings – the roads might be less icy later in the day – could work be rearranged in order to move morning travel to the afternoon?
- For drivers who have to cover many miles – adapt their workload to take some pressure off during hazardous weather.
- Drivers will need extra time to prepare for trips in bad weather – build this time into their working schedule.
- Give drivers time during their shift for driver training – whether online learning or full on-road training.
- Invest in training courses to enhance the confidence and skill of your drivers.
Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart Head of Driving and Riding Standards, said: “If I had to choose my essential safety measures for drivers and riders in bad winter weather, they’d be: when in a car, plan your route – if the weather is extreme, stick to the major routes as the minor ones will not have been treated, and make sure all of your maintenance is up to date, but especially keep your screen wash topped up – the salt from the road splashed onto the screen makes it impossible to see, and no screen wash is a disaster.
On a bike – wear the correct clothing. Concentration drops as the cold sets in, so consider a heated jacket (the best thing I ever bought). If you are uncomfortable you will be less safe, and plan for the weather for the whole day – you may set off in winter sunshine, but will you be coming back in freezing rain?”
Preparation is vital for safety in adverse weather: drivers preparing for their journeys is Richard’s priority tip. As a fleet manager, you have an opportunity to take this preparation a step further, by preparing your drivers themselves to face the worst of UK weather conditions.
Our Driving for Work training course is our flagship driver training product. The course is delivered by experienced Approved Driving Instructors, one to one, on-road, with the comfort and familiarity of each delegate’s own car. The course is tailored to each driver, targeting and nurturing whichever of their skills would most benefit their overall skill, confidence and safety at the wheel.
For more information about Driving for Work, or how IAM RoadSmart can help enhance your fleet, get in touch.
