It is not easy being a delivery driver. Not only must you carry and pick up packages consistently, but also you must have the focus to drive for hours on end. The winter season can make driving difficult for anyone; for delivery drivers, with their increased loads and larger vehicles, it can be especially challenging.
If you are a delivery or a truck driver, it is important for you to know the necessary adjustments needed to drive safely during the winter season. The following are some winter safety tips for delivery drivers.
Practice Defensive Driving
Delivery drivers should learn to protect themselves from other drivers, and that means to drive defensively. The best ways to do this is to leave a larger amount of distance between yourself and other vehicles. And owing to wintery conditions, the distance should be larger than normal. Other ways to drive defensively is to follow these rules:
- Let aggressive drivers pass.
- Drive slowly and carefully.
- Always check your mirrors and scan the area.
- Start slowing to a stop earlier than normal.
- Look where you want to go and steer to that direction.
- Always buckle up and follow traffic laws.
Be Prepared
Winter brings its many challenges to those on the road, and delivery drivers must prepare properly, before and after setting off.
- Inspect your vehicle thoroughly, including brakes, tires, fluids, and battery level.
- Do not mix in radial tires with different types, and make sure the pressures are correct and no leaks are present.
- It is okay to warm up your vehicle, but do so in an open area.
- Keep the fuel tank at mid-level, especially if the vehicle sits for long periods. This keeps the fuel line from freezing.
- Always make sure a snow brush is available, and ice and snow are completely cleared from the vehicle, particularly the windshield and roof.
- Always have a roadside emergency kit installed in the vehicle. The kit should include items such as blankets, flares, drinkable water, and food. It is a good idea to have sand or kitty litter as well, in case your vehicle gets stuck in snow or on ice.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and it is no different for delivery drivers. A distraction is any action the driver does that takes their attention away from the task of driving, such as text messaging, phone calls, eating, drinking, or even setting the GPS. Distractions are especially trouble for delivery drivers, who must always check their routes and, at times, their cargo.
Any driving in winter conditions require strict focus and awareness. If you must check the GPS or make a phone call, pull over where it is safe and do so. Reading a text message can take your eyes away from the road for more than a few seconds, when an accident can easily happen.
Rest Up
Drowsy driving is also a leading cause of car accidents. For delivery drivers roaming the roads in the winter, drowsy driving is a major problem. Drowsy driving is sometimes the equivalent of drunk driving; in fact, being awake for 18 plus hours is the equivalent of driving with a .05 percent blood alcohol content.
Many delivery drivers spend most of their days on the road, forgoing sleep instead of getting the proper amount of rest. However, a good rest is required for the focus needed to traverse wintery conditions.
Downingtown Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Delivery Drivers Injured during the Winter Season
If you are a delivery driver injured in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Let the Downingtown Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC help you. Our experienced and knowledgeable team will help get you the compensation for which you are entitled. Contact us online or call us at 610-594-1600 for a free consultation today. We are located in Exton, Pennsylvania, where we serve clients throughout Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.