David A. Kolman, editor, Fleet Maintenance

Kolman’s Komments: Dangers of winter driving

Jan. 4, 2016
Advice for staying safe.

Winter is considered the most dangerous driving season because in many states winter weather brings heavy snow, freezing rain, flooding and bitterly cold temperatures – all of which can wreak havoc on road conditions.

Omnitracs (www.omnitracs.com), a provider of comprehensive fleet management technologies, recently offer some winter driving tips for encouraging safe driving behavior and good vehicle maintenance.


Driving safety

- Remain vigilant in managing Hours of Service.

- Slow down and be cautious in adverse weather such as rain, sleet, snow, fog and wind.

- Minimize distractions.

- Plan alternate routes and allow for extra time in case of road closures.

- Always wear safety belts.


Vehicle maintenance

- Maintain proper tire inflation pressure.

- Look for uneven patterns on tires, these are a great indicator of uneven wear caused by poor alignment, worn bearings and/or kingpin wear (steering axle).

- Look for steam or melted snow coming off wheel hubs, as this could be a signal for over-heating wheel bearings.

- Leverage the Vehicle Inspection Report application to ensure all vehicle systems are in top condition and preempt on-road mechanical issues.

- Check battery charge and windshield wipers, keep windows clean for maximum visibility, monitor anti-freeze levels and put no-freeze fluid in the washer reserve.

- Use white snow to check for fluid leaks after you have been parked for a while.

About the Author

David A. Kolman | Contributor - Fleet Maintenance

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