Safety Tips While Delivering in the Winter

Prepare your vehicle for winter driving

A safe vehicle is the first step in a successful winter delivery route. Here's what to check before you head out.

Tire tread and brakes

Switch your standard tires to winter or all-weather models, and check the tread depth. If you drive in icy conditions, industry experts recommend replacing your tires when the tread is 5/32" - about half what you'd find on a new tire. Consider carrying a tread depth gauge this winter to ensure your tire tread depth remains at safe levels. You'll also want to get a brake inspection, since even the best tires can slide on slick roads. Mechanics can verify that your brake pads are thick enough, your rotors aren't too worn, and your pedals are responsive even in cold conditions.

Battery health

Visit an auto parts store to ensure your battery is in good condition and won't leave you stranded mid-delivery. Consider carrying a high-quality car battery tester, especially if you deliver in remote areas.

Fluid levels

Cold weather affects the fluids that keep your vehicle running. It thickens your oil, which affects flow through the engine and can cause overheating. If you deliver in the winter, you want a high-performance oil with good low-temperature flow and smooth cold starts. You also need a high-quality coolant with antifreeze protection to distribute heat throughout your engine. Check your transmission fluid to ensure your gears shift smoothly in cold weather, and add windshield wiper fluid formulated for winter.

Other cold-weather performance checks

The last vehicle systems to check are those that keep you warm and prevent crashes. That includes your:

• Heater
• Defrosters
• Windshield wipers
• Seat belts
• Headlights
• Turn signals

When in doubt, check these before your daily departures.

Safe driving techniques in snow and ice

As urgent as delivery deadlines are, drivers and DSPs must put safety first. After all, you can't deliver if you're injured or your vehicle is damaged. To avoid those situations, follow these winter driving safety tips for employees:

• Adjust your speed to suit the visibility and road conditions.
• Accelerate and brake smoothly to maintain traction and avoid skidding.
• Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
• Keep a safe following distance from the car in front of you.
• Steer gently and gradually, avoiding severe turns.

If you skid, stay calm and ease off the gas. Steer gently in the direction your rear wheels are sliding, and respond to the vehicle’s movements. If you steer left toward the rear wheels and the vehicle starts sliding to the right, steer to the right. You might have to repeat this process a few times. If your front wheels skid, shift into neutral and wait for the wheels to regain traction. Once you have control, gently apply the brakes.

Visibility and lighting tips for winter deliveries

Winter weather and early sunsets reduce visibility, making every inch of sightline important.

Always keep headlights, taillights, and turn signals clear of snow, even if you have to brush them off after every delivery. Mirrors should also be clear and positioned correctly, and windows should be ice-free. Carry a scraper and use it if there's ice, sleet, or snow.

Use your low-beam headlights consistently in low-light conditions, including snow and fog. Fog lights, if you have them, help to avoid glare even more effectively.

Sunny conditions can also cause glare from snow piles and ice buildup. Use polarized sunglasses or yellow-tinted eye protection to protect your vision.

Handling common winter road hazards

When roads are untreated or packed with snow and slush, use a low gear and drive slowly. Maintain 8 to 10 seconds of following distance from other drivers, since stopping takes longer on slippery surfaces.

Bridges, hills, and overpasses can ice over more quickly than other surfaces, and high winds increase the danger. Traverse them as slowly as possible and watch for black ice, which forms when temperatures drop quickly. It may look like a wet patch on the road, but if it's cold, it's probably ice. Go around the patch if it's safe, or ease up on the gas pedal and coast over it as gently as possible.

The same techniques apply to icy parking lots and delivery areas, which can be crowded with other vehicles. Give yourself room to accelerate and brake gently, and ensure you have a clear view around your vehicle.

These are particularly important truck driver winter safety tips, as larger vehicles require longer braking distances and are more prone to skidding.

Breakdown and emergency safety tips in cold weather

Knowing how to handle the unexpected is one of the most essential strategies for successful delivery drivers. You can avoid many emergencies by knowing when conditions are severe enough to stop driving. Find a safe place to park, and head indoors if possible.

In case you can't get inside, prepare a well-stocked emergency kit that includes:

• First aid items
• Water and snacks
• Flashlight and batteries
• Hat, mittens, extra sweater, and blanket
• Ice scraper and shovel
• Sand or cat litter for getting unstuck
• Road flares

If you're stranded and can't get yourself out, put on your hazard lights and layer yourself in warm clothes. Keep your doors and windows closed to retain heat, and turn off the engine. Turn it back on for about 10 minutes each hour to stay warm. If you have road flares, set them off safely when someone might see you.

Avoid idling your vehicle if you're in an enclosed area, such as a parking garage. The exhaust system of an idling vehicle emits carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas that can cause illness or death if you inhale it.

Carbon monoxide can also build up if the exhaust pipe is obstructed. If you're stuck in a snowbank, be sure the pipe is clear before running the heater to stay warm.

Staying safe while entering and exiting your vehicle during deliveries

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common injuries among delivery workers nationwide, and winter increases the risk of these incidents. Always wear shoes or boots, preferably waterproof, with soles that provide good traction.

Be aware of your surroundings, and look for black ice when walking across parking lots or sidewalks. If the surface is or might be icy, walk slowly and take small steps, keeping your feet under your center of gravity. Use handholds whenever possible to keep three points of contact between you and the ground—two feet and one hand. These winter walking tips will supplement the safety tips for winter driving you've learned here.

If you're looking for an opportunity to drive with a Delivery Service Partner business, check out DSP Job Hub, where you'll find positions available in markets worldwide.