Fleet safety doesn’t happen by accident

I went out to my car a few weeks ago for my commute to the office to find the first frost of the year on my windscreen – a reminder, if one was needed as the days shorten and the nights draw in, the winter weather is coming. It’s a good prompt, too, that business risk changes with the changes in climate; I have learned, in my time as a broker, that poor weather conditions are proportional to claims – particularly with fleets of vehicles.

Sure, businesses can’t control the weather, but they can control on how they can react to it. While fleet managers take steps to mitigate risk all year round – such as restricting the total time that drivers can spend behind the wheel in a given 24-hour period – particular action at this time of year is essential.

The key to improving the performance of your fleet in winter is preparation. And getting prepared now will pay dividends in the long run, on everything from claims and renewal cost to health and safety for your business and employees.

So, let’s focus on risk during winter driving conditions. Where do we start?

1. Tyres: Check the condition and pressure of your vehicle’s tyres – the AA recommends no less than 3mm of tread depth for winter. Change to winter tyres where necessary.
2. Antifreeze: Ensure that your vehicles are prepared for freezing temperatures by checking concentration levels of antifreeze in the cooling systems.
3. Battery: Check the health of your vehicle’s batteries – according to the AA, 16% of their call outs relate to battery issues and they tend to perform worse in cold conditions
4. Check oil: Top up and change oil where needed. This will vary according to your vehicle but is a critical aspect to ensuring your vehicles run correctly in cooler temperatures.
5. Check lights: Check all lights are working and clear before journeys to ensure visibility for your driver and others.
6. Windscreen: Check the condition of the windscreen – and reduce risk by reminding drivers to demist and clear windscreens before setting off to ensure good visibility. Ensure there is plenty of screen wash.
7. Driver packs: Ensure that drivers have a winter pack for their vehicles to prepare for any issues while out on the road, including a checklist of key safety equipment such as hi-vis jackets, road flare, blanket, water, torch, scraper, de-icer, jump leads, reflective signs and fire extinguishers.
8. Vehicle checks: Check heaters are working and that demisters operate correctly to ensure drivers can be comfortable and alert on the road.
9. Driver handbooks: Ensure that drivers know that safety is the most important aspect of their role and prepare a brief on what risks to be aware of, the importance of route checking, and allow more time for drivers to prepare and check vehicles.
10. Additional Fuel/Charge: Ensure vehicles have additional fuel or extra charge stops in case of delays or trickier driving conditions so vehicles do not run out in cold conditions and become stranded.

The AA has a comprehensive guide here: Winter driving advice | AA (theaa.com)

There are so many factors to keep fleets and drivers safe in the winter, and many times its critical to think realistically and sensibly about risk and consider the circumstances of your specific business and fleet. There are particular issues with ‘grey fleets’, where employees use their own vehicle for work – it’s always worth doing checks to see that drivers have appropriate business use on their personal insurance too – this is particularly topical given the cost-of-living crisis. It’s also a good idea to ask your broker about any help that your insurer might be able to give with regards to fleet safety – some offer handbooks, online and in-person driver courses, and even funding to help improve the risk management of fleets.

Fleet risk covers vast swathes of drivers and vehicle types, but good advice shouldn’t just apply to commercial fleets; share it with drivers who may only commute to and from the office. Now is the time for drivers to adequately prepare for tougher driving conditions and make the roads safer for everyone. Claims do inevitably happen, but preparation helps mitigate risk. It’s also worth noting that repair times, replacement vehicles and replacement parts continue to be a big challenge for insurers and businesses, so preparing early will certainly be beneficial, particularly for parts and perishables this winter.

If you’d like to find out how Howden can help keep your fleet safe this winter, contact 020 7543 2807.