During the winter season, drivers should be aware of different conditions on the road. Due to shorter days, drivers spend more time driving in the dark and in low- visibility conditions. Roads can be slick and other seasonal elements can threaten vehicle safety.

Assure employees are prepared for driving in inclement weather conditions by communicating the following:

• Give yourself adequate time to reach your destination. Allow for an extra 5 – 10 minutes (or even more time) to account for poor weather and road conditions.

• Leave plenty of space for other vehicles. Increase your following distance to compensate for reduced reaction times and longer braking distances.

• Increase your visibility to others. Use your headlights to assure your vehicle is visible to other drivers.

• Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Assure that vehicle components such as the battery, tires, brakes, lights, wipers, and fluid levels are in adequate condition before starting to drive.

• Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle at all times. Make sure that your vehicle contains extra blankets, tire chains, emergency signals or flares, water, and nutritious dried or canned food.

• Know who to contact in the event of an accident or breakdown.

• Keep your phone charged. Help ensure that you will be able contact emergency services.

Succeed Management Solutions, LLC offers a series of Driver Safety online training courses on topics of: defensive driving, distracted driving, and general driver preparedness for non-commercial drivers. Toolbox talk resources are offered on a variety of topics such as: vehicle maintenance, winter driving, winter preparation, and more. There is also a safety video available in both English and Spanish on Winter Safety.