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.