Weather readiness: Driving in poor weather conditions

When the temperatures drop, the roads can become icy, making driving more dangerous. Ensuring your vehicle is prepared for cold weather can make the difference between a safe and a hazardous journey. As an employer, you must manage health and safety risks to workers who drive a vehicle on the road as part of their work activities. Extra considerations may be required when driving in poor weather conditions.

Before travel: As an employer

When weather conditions create dangerous road conditions, consideration should be given to planning journeys for workers.

• Manage workloads and expectations: Ensure drivers are encouraged and able to take suitable breaks to avoid fatigue
• Plan journeys appropriately: Consideration should be given to avoiding unnecessary journeys in poor weather conditions and rescheduling where appropriate
• Carrying out simple routine checks: For example, if workers are using their own vehicles, ensure they have adequate business insurance, and their vehicle is maintained in a suitable and roadworthy condition. For work vehicles, ensuring routine maintenance and vehicle checks are upheld prior to travel

Before travel: As a worker

Before travelling in winter, you can ensure your vehicle is ready with a few simple checks:

• Tyres: Check your trye pressure and tread depth are suitable
• Lights: Winter brings longer periods of darkness. Ensure all lights are working and replace flat bulbs
• Wipers: Check your windscreen wipers to ensure these are working properly. Make sure you’ve got windscreen washer fluid and antifreeze
• Fuel: Make sure you have enough fuel to travel with, and account for slower or longer journey times
• Visibility: Ensure the vehicle is fully de-iced and de-misted before beginning your journey

Travel kit

If you find yourself stuck due to adverse weather, motorway closures or heavy traffic, make sure you have a few emergency supplies in your vehicle in case you need them:

• Warm clothing: A warm coat, had and gloves or blanket
• Snacks: A few snacks and bottled water can be left in the boot, in case they’re needed
• First aid kit: A small first aid kit for any minor injuries
• Phone charger: In case of long delays or emergencies, it’s best to be able to keep in contact

When you travel

Driving in cold conditions increases stopping time and comes with the risk of sliding on ice. Being patient, careful and aware of others will help to keep you and others safe in the cold.

Going slowly, increasing following distance, gentle manoeuvres and low gears are all useful ways to adapt your driving.

Find out more about driving in adverse conditions in the Highway Code, here.