Discussion Leaders Guide

Slide Number Notes 1 Inclement Weather Driving Safety.  We’ll be covering some driving safety tips for driving in all kinds of bad weather.  This presentation will focus on light cars and trucks, rather than larger commercial vehicles.  Many companies have fleets of company cars used for a variety of purposes such as local delivery of small items, running errands for the company, or transporting clients to different locations.  Along with the variety of purposes, employees driving company vehicles may encounter many different weather situations, some of which may not be familiar.  Travel on company business to a different part of the country may expose employees to unfamiliar conditions on top of the unfamiliarity of driving a rental vehicle.

2 Motor Vehicle accident statistics from the NSC.

3 Driving in bad weather is never a good idea if it can be avoided.  If possible during periods of bad weather, take public transportation.

4 Inclement weather can include  Rain, Thunderstorms, Flooding  Night Driving  Fog  Windstorms  Hail  Ice and snow

5  Stress that in all kinds of bad weather driving, the vehicle’s headlights MUST be turned on. Many states have laws requiring it.  If your vehicle has a feature to have the headlights on at all times, use it. Visibility is key to safe driving.

6-7 Rain, Thunderstorms, Flooding  Tips for driving in these conditions – ease off the gas, brake slowly, steer cautiously.  Turn the headlights on!!  Keep the windshield clear with the defroster as soon as it starts to rain.

7 Hydroplaning General Information  What hydroplaning is, when it occurs  Loss of steering, braking and power control Discussion Leaders Guide

Slide Number Notes 8,9,10  Procedures to follow to reduce the chances of you vehicle hydroplaning.  Don’t panic  Don’t slam on the brakes  Do ease off the accelerator  Do gradually apply the brakes  Tire inflation is very important  No hard braking or steering  Stay off outer lanes  Drive less than 35 mph.

11 Unfamiliar conditions  Business travel may take employees to areas where driving conditions are unfamiliar

12 Snow, hail and ice  Having the proper tools to clean off a frozen windshield can make the difference between good visibility and NO visibility. If using a rental car, make sure the agency provides a scraper and snow brush.

13  Tips for driving in icy conditions. These are pretty much the same as for driving in rain and deep water  Slow down, brake carefully, avoid sudden changes in speed or steering.  Brake on a straight section of road before an upcoming curve.  If you will potentially be driving in icy conditions, have a suitable set of chains in the vehicle, and learn ahead of time how to install. Ask the rental car agency to provide them and instruct you.  SKIDS  If rear wheels skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer the way you want the front wheel to go. If rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. You may have to steer both directions a few times to regain control  If front wheels skid, take your foot off the accelerator, depress the clutch or shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately. Front wheels skidding sideways will slow you down and traction should return. Steer in the direction you want to go, then put the vehicle back in gear.

14 Night Driving  Slow down, increase following distance, dim high beams  Remember, your vision is impaired at night.  You have limited peripheral vision at night Discussion Leaders Guide

Slide Number Notes 15 Driving in high wind conditions.  The photo shows a semi-trailer that was blown over on a highway during high winds. Keep your distance from them. Driving high-profile vehicles such as motorhomes in high winds is dangerous. Pull off if possible until the wind dies down.

16 Tornadoes, Hurricanes  This photo shows an automobile that had a tree branch and a power line fall onto it while on a roadway, due to very high winds.

17 Distractions  Lots of news about the dangers of texting while driving.  Any distracting activity increases the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Doing them in bad weather greatly increases those chances.  No drinking, eating, telephoning, texting, reading, applying make-up, or looking at the kids in the back seat.

18, 19, 20 Keeping Your Vehicle up to Speed  Get a tune up when recommended  Check coolant hoses  Check fan or serpentine belts  Check the battery  Check to make sure the heater and defroster work properly  Check brakes for wear  Check exhaust system for leaks  Check all the fluid levels.  Evaluate the wiper blades for type and wear.  Check your tires for proper inflation and tread depth. Minimum recommended is 4/32”. Tire gauges are cheap and more accurate than using a penny or quarter.  FMCSA requires that steering tires of all commercial buses and trucks be replaced at 4/32”. Less is unsafe 21 Always carry an emergency kit  These kits can be purchased at auto stores or made up yourself.  Carrying non-perishable food and water can be a lifesaver in an emergency

22 Inclement Driving weather Summary  A review of the main points is on the slide 23 Always watch for the unexpected in bad weather!!!