Purpose
To provide guidance on safe driving behaviours in adverse weather conditions.
Scope
This guideline applies to all Company staff including- contractors, sub-contractors, apprentices, trainees, work experience students or volunteers.
Policy Statement
Rain, strong winds and fog are some of the weather conditions that make safe driving more difficult, especially at night.
The risks associated with driving in bad weather can be minimised by:
- slowing down and driving at a speed appropriate for the conditions
- ensuring the windscreen is clean and serviceable
- ensuring the windscreen wipers are serviceable
- using the air-conditioner or demister to keep the windscreen clear
- checking that all vehicle and trailer lights are operating
- driving with the headlights on low beam in fog and only using the rear fog lights in heavy fog or very hazardous weather conditions
- using hazard lights when travelling very slowly with the likelihood of obstructing the passage of other vehicles
- watching carefully for other vehicles and road users
- doubling your following distance
- avoiding sudden or harsh braking or steering actions
- not attempting to overtake other vehicles (unless on a double carriageway)
- not driving through water covering roads.
Using Cruise Control on Wet or Slippery Roads
Cruise control is particularly useful when driving on open roads where there is reduced traffic flow and long distances between towns. Cruise control ensures that the vehicle maintains a constant speed.
The use of cruise control when driving on roads which require the driver to frequently change speed, such as very windy, wet, or slippery roads, is dangerous and can increase the risk of an incident. The vehicle’s owner’s manual provides guidance about the use of cruise control. Some typical conditions when cruise control should not be used include driving:
- in heavy traffic or traffic of varying volume
- on winding roads
- on wet and slippery roads.