Fleet Harmony is pleased to provide these fleet safety and driving tips for the fall. Feel free to share this maintenance management and trucking information at your leisure.
Leaves and debris
Leaves and debris are potential hazards to be aware of. When falling leaves, wind, rain, leaves, sticks, and other debris accumulate along our roadways, they sometimes conceal potholes, washed out sections of road, and other hazards. Additionally, when roads get wet, they become slippery. And when temperatures drop below freezing, wet leaves will freeze quicker - making roads more like icy winter driving conditions.
Slow down and give yourself some extra distance between you and the car in front of you; especially when driving on secondary roads that often wind through wooded areas.
Remember, a pile of leaves is also an inviting place for a child.
Weather
Depending on where you are located, autumn weather can last a couple of weeks or a couple of months. It generally brings damper weather with more rain and fog; and as the season draws on, it can bring snow. The days are shorter, the nights cool off quickly, and we wake to mornings with frost-covered ground.
Overpasses and bridges are natural hazards due to accumulating flood water. They also freeze before roads, and are more prone to forming black ice. Be extra aware when approaching overpasses and bridges - especially when it’s cold, and at night when visibility is limited.
Remember, your headlights should be set to low beams when driving in fog, heavy rain, and snow.
Deer and other wildlife.
The fall is the time of the rut for the deer, and these animals are on the move - especially at dawn and dusk. Additionally, with the fall hunting season, many animals are displaced from their normal habitats and can appear out of nowhere. And remember, deer often travel in small herds.
Visibility
With shorter days, the sun sits lower in the sky for longer. Make sure your windows are clean and streak free. Consider carrying an extra pair of sunglasses in the glove box, or saving an old pair with the broken earpiece.
Collect napkins from fast food places you visit - they make great sun glass and window cleaners in an emergency.
Children and pedestrians
With shorter days, some children will be on the move near twilight as they go to and wait for their school buses. Early dawn can be an especially difficult time of day in terms of visibility. Watch for them again as they return home in the afternoon.
Always drive defensively, especially through residential areas. Watch for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Don’t forget about Halloween. It’s on a Saturday night this year (2015).
Fleet Maintenance
Prepare a fall maintenance checklist as part of your fleet’s preventative maintenance program. If maintaining your fleet involves heavy equipment repair, the steps and tasks associated with a routine maintenance can be very detailed and should be documented, saved, and easily accessible by your technicians and support staff.
Fleet Harmony’s fleet maintenance software allows you to create a maintenance work order that includes an equipment maintenance checklist. Each checklist can be unique and saved as maintenance procedures for the equipment type.
Fleet Safety and emergency kit
Inspect your vehicle’s safety kit. Some suggested items to include are:
Blanket
First Aid kit
Candle and matches
Knife
Whistle
Rope
Jumper cables
Flashlight
Candy
Winter Tires
Install winter tires as your region and weather conditions dictate. Remember, everyone else will be doing the same thing; so, if you generally have your winter tires installed at a repair shop, avoid the rush and install them early.
For those installing studded tires, check with your local Department of Transportation for the earliest date you are allowed to have studded tires on your vehicle.
Conclusion
Fleet safety and safe driving should be practiced all year. However, being aware and reminded of the unique autumn driving hazards should be part of the seasonal truck driving information you provide to your staff, and will make you and your staff better and safer drivers.
Our maintenance management solutions includes scheduled maintenance and planning and warranty. Contact us or give us a call toll free at 844-527-6669.