Fleets have a moral responsibility – and even potentially a legal one – to ensure that employees have detailed guidance about travelling in wintry conditions, and today’s communications technology means there’s no excuse for not doing so, according to FleetCheck.

FleetCheck says fleets have a duty of care to let drivers know if journeys are necessary in winter weather

Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software company, explained: “Fleets should have real-time communication channels in place that enable them to contact drivers in situations just such as this, whether they use a specialist app, social media like WhatsApp or even just good, old-fashioned e-mail.

“The fact is that the risk of accident or other dangerous incident is much increased in wintry weather and now is the right time to use those methods of reaching drivers to keep them fully informed. There is no excuse not to do otherwise.”

Golding  added that the communications should cover two areas – whether journeys were necessary and advice on practical driving.

“In our opinion, too much leeway is generally given to drivers about whether to undertake a journey in difficult conditions. Fleets should provide concrete guidance such as only undertaking essential journeys if heavy snow is forecast. This could very well be seen as part of your duty of care.

“The other area is to provide hints and tips on motoring in snow and ice, from ensuring that you are carrying a warm coat and a well-charged mobile phone through to basic instructions on how to drive during a skid.

“All of these can be provided through the kinds of communication channels that are available to fleets and, if they are delivered at the right time, could help your drivers to avoid accident or injury.”