The Fleet Safety Forum has today published new guidance for fleet managers on the topic of ‘Driver Safety in Bad Weather’. While winter makes for heightened awareness of this issue, the guidance highlights that bad weather is increasingly a road safety issue throughout the year.

In the UK in 2010, 33% of all fatal road crashes occurred when roads were wet, flooded, icy or snowy.

Fleet managers must plan ahead to account for the disruption caused by adverse weather, with the safest option always being to ensure drivers do not have to go out on the roads in dangerous conditions. Drivers need to be educated and reminded about the importance of avoiding risky situations on the roads, as well as what to do if they do get caught in a sudden snowfall, fog or high winds for instance.

The Fleet Safety Forum guidance provides practical advice for fleet managers on how to approach this topic in terms of journey planning, communication with drivers, and equipping fleet vehicles appropriately. There is an Advice for Drivers section that can be provided as a separate document to circulate to staff or post on intranet sites.