Spring is just around the corner which means your business is about to get busy. But as you gear up for warmer temps and sunnier days, don’t forget to watch for lingering road hazards that can set your schedule back.
With proactive fleet maintenance and cautious driving, your crews can be prepared for anything from slick roads to unsuspecting potholes. Here’s a list of ways to keep your trucks and crews safe this season.
Watch out for changing weather conditions
Spring showers may be great for business (especially if you’re in lawn care), but it can be bad news for the road, creating slippery road conditions. And with 70% of weather-related crashes being a result of wet pavement, speeding isn’t worth the risk.
Here are the best ways to keep your team safe on the road in the rain:
- Slow down: Your team has a schedule to keep, but no job is worth a wreck. Remind crews to take their time and be sure to communicate any delays with customers.
- Keep a safe distance: Wet roads mean longer stopping times. Remind drivers to keep their distance from the car in front of them to avoid accidents.
- Watch for black ice: Early morning frost can create black ice. Crews should take extra caution, especially on lesser travelled back roads.
- Make sure tires have good tread: Bald tires can’t grip the pavement, especially with rain or ice on the ground. Consider the long-term advantage of higher priced tires for safety and fuel savings.
- Be aware of decreased visibility: Rain, mist, and fog can make it tough to see what’s ahead. Add in glare from sunlight or headlights bouncing off wet pavement and things get even worse. Crews should keep headlights on and wipers fresh to help them see and be seen.
Give your trucks a spring tune-up
Spring is a great time to get up-to-date on routine maintenance. Doing some preventative maintenance now can save you time and money later and help you be sure your fleet is running smoothly all season long.
Your spring checklist should include:
- Tires: Cold temps can affect tire pressure, so it’s important to check them regularly. Do the penny test—stick a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires.
- Battery: Winter weather can decrease battery power. If your fleet has been stationary during winter, be sure to test your batteries. Turning the vehicles on daily can also help maintain battery charge.
- Windshield Wipers: Snow and ice can wear down your wipers. Inspect them regularly and replace any that could impair your crew’s ability to drive safely during spring storms.
Need help keeping track of maintenance schedules? Linxup’s maintenance reminders make it easy to track oil changes, tire checks, and other small fixes before they turn into big problems.
Steer clear of potholes
Hitting a pot hole doesn’t just ruin your day, it can also mess up your truck and lead to expensive repairs. Snow, ice, and salt do a number on pavement, leaving behind deep potholes that can wreck your vehicles.
A single hit can cause:
- Flat tires
- Bent rims, ranging $50-$150 to fix
- Suspension damage, which can run upward of $1000
- Poor alignment
Train your crews early and often
With the right training and tools, your crew can avoid these hazards—and costly repairs. The best defense is a good offense, and here are the ways you can keep your crews prepared, even if things go wrong.
- Train your crew: It doesn’t hurt to retrain your crews on driving best practices. Remind them of the seasonal hazards and how to avoid them.
- Use dash cams: Dash cam footage protects your crews. AI detections give you alerts for risky behavior (like cell phone or distracted driving) which creates coaching opportunities. It also helps exonerate drivers against false claims. You can also reinforce good habits by pairing alerts with Linxup Coaching Driver Dashboard.
- Make decisions based on data: With GPS fleet tracking, you can monitor routes, and driving behaviors in real time. Use this data to adjust schedules, reroute vehicles, and implement proactive safety measures to keep your crews protected as road conditions change.
Keep your crew safe & your business running smoothly
A little spring prep goes a long way in keeping your team safe and your trucks in top shape. Linxup makes it easy with GPS tracking, dash cams, and maintenance reminders, so you can stay ahead of risks and keep your fleet running strong. Contact us today to learn more about how Linxup advanced GPS tracking and safety solutions can help your business.
Call us at: 1-866-511-5592 or email us at sales@linxup.com.
