As the weather turns colder, fuel card provider FuelGenie is reminding SMEs and fleet owners to ensure their vehicles and drivers are ready for the winter and so minimise the risk of accidents and breakdowns.

FuelGenie’s top 10 tips can keep drivers – and other road users – safe this winter

The company has come up with a top 10 of handy tips to keep drivers – and other road users – safe this winter:

1) More importantly than ever, tyres need to be at the correct pressure. Stopping distances can increase significantly in wet or icy conditions. A weekly check should be made by all drivers. Tyres should always have at least 3mm of tread left. Winter or all-season tyres can also be considered.

2) Windscreen washer fluid needs to be used at a higher concentration level to prevent the risk of freezing during very cold conditions.

3) Drivers should adjust their style to allow for poor weather or road conditions, cutting speed and using more gradual acceleration and braking. This also includes using high gears when travelling uphill and low gears when going downhill. Drivers should also leave more distance between themselves and the vehicle in front.

4) In the event of a skid on ice, the driver should take their foot off the accelerator and avoid sharp braking – instead they should turn into the skid to regain control.

5) In snowy conditions, try to stick to major roads, which are more likely to have been cleared or gritted.

6) Drivers should take the time to fully de-ice their vehicle before they depart, ensuring they can see properly through the front and rear windscreens, and all windows.

7) Fuel levels should be checked too; every vehicle should have at least a quarter of a tank as delays are more likely in poor weather conditions.

8) Clear all snow off the vehicle before departing; this avoids a risk to other drivers being distracted by snow falling off or having to swerve to avoid piles of snow suddenly appearing on the road in front of them.

9) Consider whether the journey is really necessary. Drivers should not drive if they have cold or flu symptoms or are taking medication which could make them drowsy.

10) And finally… if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, then consider putting cat litter around the tyres to provide extra traction. Natural, non-clumping cat litter is probably the best!

Tony Burgess, director, merchant network at FuelGenie, explained: “Winter weather and road conditions provide additional challenges but many of the risks can be mitigated by being well-prepared both in terms of the vehicles themselves and ensuring drivers adapt their behaviours both before and during journeys.

“These tips will help keep fleet and SME drivers and other road users safe, as well as helping to minimise the cost of driving through good habits on the road, optimising fuel economy and cutting the risks of breakdowns and accidents.”