fbp 1113 bad weather pocket guide rev 3_final_lr

8/7/2019 FBP 1113 Bad Weather Pocket Guide rev 3_final_LR

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Bad Weather

Driving Guide

Poc

ketGuide

Health & Safety Executive


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Disclaimer: While the Department for Transport (DfT) and theScottish Government have made every effort to ensure theinformation in this document is accurate, they do not guaranteethe accuracy, completeness or usefulness of that information;and cannot accept liability for any loss or damages of any kind

resulting from reliance on the information or guidance thisdocument contains.


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Bad Weather Driving Guide

.

......

.

...

Contents

Introduction..................................... 4

UK Weather:

Is Your Vehicle

The Four Seasons......................... 8

Your View, Your Saety.............. 18

Fit For Purpose?............................. 22

Be Prepared...................................... 34


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4

Introduction

During bad weather, proessional drivers ace more

challenges than other road users through increased

demands on their own concentration and their

vehicles. Some o these are due to the size o the

vehicles and actors such as braking distances thatare aected by certain weather types.

Typically, planned delivery times and journey

times remain the same all year round with drivers

and vehicles required to perorm the same duties

whatever the driving conditions. We know thathigh winds, ice and snow or driving rain make the

operation o a large vehicle much more dicult.

Remember, whilst on the road, you the driver, are

solely responsible or the sae operation o your

vehicle, security o your load and delivery o goods

to your destination.

By ollowing the simple steps outlined in this Pocket

Guide you can ensure your own saety and that o

other road users:

Check your vehicle dailyEnsure your load is saely secured in place

Plan your route including potential diversions

Watch the weather orecasts ahead

Drive saely

1


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5

Proessional Drivers are

Champions o SaetyREMEMBER

!

1.1 How Will This Guide Help You?

This Pocket Guide is or you the proessional driver.

It oers simple advice to help:

Check your vehicle is t or purpose

Plan your route

Know the weather orecast or your routeAdapt your driving style to suit the conditions

Be fexible to road closures and rerouting

Minimise delay and idle time

Save you and your employer money

Planning ahead andpreparing or potential

road closures and

diversions will save you

time, uel and money.

Having the right advice

to hand is sometimesdicult when you are out

on the road. Carry this

Pocket Guide in your jacket pocket or cab or quick

reerence. Keep it handy and cut the risk o delay or

accidents caused by bad weather conditions.


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6

There are many guides, manuals and codes o practiceavailable on specic aspects o transport. This Pocket

Guide is a summary o how to prepare and drive in bad

weather but is not comprehensive advice. Appendix 1

provides a useul list o organisations that can help you

nd more inormation.

1.2 Freight Best Practice

This Pocket Guide is part o a series oFREE

publications produced by the Scottish Government

under the Freight Best Practice Scotland

programme.

The Freight Best Practice programme provides

a wide range oFREE inormation to help you

improve the eciency o your business. For a ull

list o all the FREE publications and or urther

inormation, call the Hotline on 0845 877 0 877 orvisit the website atwww.reightbestpractice.org.
http://www.freightbestpractice.org/http://www.freightbestpractice.org/


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k

Printed intheUKonpapercontainingatleast75%re cycledfb re.

FBP108 3 Queens PrinterandControlle ro HMSO20 07.

www.freightbestpractice.org.u

http://www.freightbestpractice.org.u/http://www.freightbestpractice.org.u/http://www.freightbestpractice.org.u/


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9

!Lower speeds improve vehiclehandling in high cross windsFACT

Open and exposed routes can leave your vehicle

especially vulnerable when there are changeablecross winds. This is most common on exposed

routes and high bridges where wind can buet

the vehicle making it dicult to operate.


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In high winds watch out or damage to:

Lampposts and signposts

Telephone and electrical wires

Scaolding and construction material

Low hanging trees and branches

Other vehicles

Buildings

Road urniture

Any o these can put

REMEMBER your vehicle at risk!

!

2.2 Rain & Spray

Rain obscures your vision through bouncing othe windscreen. Rain can also lead to oggingup

on the inside o the windscreen and wing mirrors

making it harder to see all around.

Fast moving trac can lit gallons o water o the

road surace creating a spray cloud. This makes

visibility very dicult or ALL drivers.

Lack o visibility caused by rain can be equally

dangerous when operating at low speed. Rain water

rom your side windows and mirrors can aect your

view rom the cab.


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Wet conditions

Turn on your vehicles lights to beseen by other road users

Use longer braking distances to slow

your vehicle more smoothly

Make your vehicles movements known

with extended use o the indicators

Watch out or puddles! Other road

users may avoid them

Fit a spray suppression kit to keep down

the spray rom your tyres

Water thrown rom your vehicles tyres can

be a hazard to other road users and pedestrians

!By planning well ahead and braking

smoothly, gear changes will be

reduced and uel will be savedFACT

11



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2.3 SnowWhen driving in cold weather, keep an eye on the

outside temperature, especially when

climbing long ascents. At nightall

the temperature can all rapidly

turning rain to snow. Most modernvehicles have a temperature gauge

on the dashboard.

Snowall

Heavy alling snow will cause all

road users to slow down

In heavy snow you may have to make tram lines to

allow other road users to ollow saely through

Gentle use o all o the controls is required

to ensure the vehicle does not breakaway

in the slippery conditions

You should use the dierential lock on the

drive axles to increase grip in the worst cases

!In snow using higher gears

at low engine revs helps to

avoid wheel spin

FACT


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2.4 Ice

!

Ice can not only build up on the windscreen and

windows but also along the vehicle body and on

the roo o the trailer. This may

present a danger to other road users.

Black ice is invisible to the eye. In

reezing conditions black ice may

orm without warning.

CAN YOU SPOT

THE BLACK ICE?

NO ICE BLACK ICE


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Ice and Black Ice

Ice on the road surace will massively increase

your stopping distances. Brake early and gently

Steering and braking must be gentle so as not

to upset the high centre o gravity o your

vehicle thereby causing a skid

Where your vehicle does not have ABS, cadence

braking may be used whereby rapid but gentle

use o the brake pedal slows the vehicle

Watch out or bridge decks during icy conditions.

They may be colder than the road close by

making them more slippery

!Ice reduces grip with the

road surace making all

aspects o traction, steering

and braking less eective

FACT


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2.5 Slush

Oten, stripes o melting snow create tram lines

along the road making driving particularly dicult

or drivers o smaller vehicles with smaller wheels.

Slush 15

You should reduce your speed during slushy

conditions; there may still be ice underneath

the layer o slush

Other road users may have diculties in these

conditions. Be aware o other vehicles movements.

Try to avoid damage to wheels and tyres as slush

can cover roadside objects such as kerbstones

Be aware o your vehicles position when

approaching junctions and roundabouts.Road markings may be covered

!Debris thrown up by your

vehicles tyres can cause a hazard

to other road users, particularly

pedestrians and cyclists

FACT



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2.6 Flooding

Following wet and wintry weather, dangers can still

exist through snow melt and localised fooding. This

can result in road closures and diversions.

Flood Water

I you have to ord a fooded road you should

keep to the highest point o the road camber,

usually the centre line

Keep your speed down to avoid making a

bow wave which may be thrown up

onto oncoming vehicles

Always dab your brakes several times ater getting

them wet, in order to test / dry the system

!Flood water may be owing at

speed, placing side loads onthe vehicle. Stay in the middle

o the road where possible

FACT


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2.7 Fog

Fog is a danger to the driver. It blocks the drivers

view over long distances causing most vehicles to

slow down.

On open motorway and trunk roads og represents17

the greatest danger. Varying vehicle speeds aect

trac fow creating more potential or accidents.

Fog

Fog limits your visibility. You should slow down

to a sae speed. You must make sure you have

adequate stopping distance in ront o your vehicle

Use your og lights when appropriate and

remember to turn them o once you clear the

og to avoid dazzling other road users

!Just because you can see the og

lights o the vehicle in ront does

not mean you have time to stop.

Always maintain a sae braking

distance rom the vehicle in ront

FACT



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Your View, Your Saety

A proessional heavy goods driver is only as good as

what he / she can see. The inormation provided in

this section tells you what you, the driver, needs to

be aware o rom the drivers seat.

3.1 Windscreens & Windows

Your windscreen is your view on the world; make

sure it is ree o stickers, hanging motis and

emblems. Keep side windows ree o obstructions

such as sleeper curtains.

Cold and wintry weather can lead to a build up o

condensation on the windscreen and windows

in the cab. In very cold weather ice can build up

quickly on the outside o the cab covering unheated

parts o the windscreen and side windows.

To ensure that your windscreen stays clear during

poor weather you should:

Regularly clean the glass on all cab windows

with an approved cleaning product

Ensure that the cab heater is set to blow onto

the windscreen and door windows

NOT cover air vents with paperwork and

clothing

Preprogramme your night heater to derost

your cab beore you start the engine


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NOT leave your engine idling to derost your

cab beore starting a shit, unless it is essential

!FAC

3% o all roadside prohibition notices

T are served or deective glass andrestricted view o the road

3.2 Windscreen Wiper Blades

Windscreen wiper blades are vital to maintain your

line o sight on the road. I they become iced up

or there is damage to the rubber blades this will

restrict your view o the road ahead. Check andrenew wiper blades regularly.

Washwipes can reeze in very cold weather

due to exposed pipes eeding the fuid rom the

reservoir to the blades. Use neat screenwash with

a minimum reeze limit o 20 degrees C to helpprevent washwipe fuid rom reezing. Neat screen

wash will help derost nozzles.

REMEMBER

Keep a spare bottle o

screen-wash inside a

cab locker in order totop up en-route

!


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3.3 Wing Mirrors

Beore starting your journey, make sure your wing

mirrors are positioned so that you can see all around

the vehicle.

Most modern vehicles have a heated wing mirror

unction. Make sure it works properly and that you

use it. Cracked or damaged glass should be replaced

straight away. To ensure the best all round view you

should:

Wipe clean your mirrors beore every journey

Replace any broken or cracked glass

Ensure that the heater is switched on at all

times to clear mirrors while driving

REMEMBER

!Road salt can build up

quickly because o heated

wing mirrors - wipe your

mirrors regularly


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Drivers: You are the key!

Printed in the UK on paper containing at least 75% recycled fibre.

FBP1083 Queens Printer and Controller of HMSO 2008.

www.freightbestpractice.org.uk


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22

Is Your Vehicle Fit

or Purpose?

Vehicle perormance in the winter months can

be as much as 10% poorer than in the summer

months. Winter conditions can mean greater useo equipment such as og lights, screen demisters,

etc. The change rom summer grade diesel uel to

winter grade can also contribute to an increase in

uel consumption o around 3%.

Deects or problems should always be recorded,reported and i necessary, repaired. The Vehicle

Operator Saety Agency (VOSA) has the right to stop

a vehicle at the roadside, carry out spot checks and

issue prohibition notices i necessary.


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4.1 Saety Checks

Vehicle checks should be carried out beore starting

any journey. These should be part o your everyday

responsibilities as a proessional driver.

Drivers are legally responsible or:

Checking the vehicle is roadworthy

Ensuring specied equipment is present and

serviceable

NOT DRIVING the vehicle i major aults are

present

REMEMBER

!Never begin a journeywith a deective warning

device or when a warning

is showing on the

dashboard!


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4.2 FuelMake sure your vehicle has enough uel to cover

any stoppages or holdups you may ace on your

journey. In severe and cold weather you may need

to topup your tanks prior to tackling a potentially

hazardous journey.

4.3 Brakes

When you need to use your brakes they must be

working at their best, in order to protect you and

other road users.

The air brake system draws moisture rom the

atmosphere through an air compressor. Many

modern vehicle designs use an automatic draining

system or the air brakes. Manual systems need

regular draining to keep them sae.

Check to see i your

vehicle has manual or

automatic drainingREMEMBER

!

Air Brakes check your brakes beore every journey:

Charge up your air tanks and turn o the

engine

Listen or leaks in hoses and brake components

Monitor your air tank readouts on the

dashboard


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When coupling up to a dierent trailer,

careully inspect the components visually,

audibly and with a brake test

Beore leaving your rest area or yard, test your

brakes with a simple tap o the brake pedal,

this should draw your vehicle up promptly

!Your stopping distance is

greatly increased in wetand snowy weather

FACT

4.4 Use o ABS

Modern HGV design includes disc brakes on all

axles, typically with AntiLock Braking System (ABS).

This technology is included to assist your input as a

driver NOT to take over or you.

For the saest use o ABS brakes apply the brake,

maintain maximum orce to the pedal as this

ensures that the system works most eectively.


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4.5 Auxiliary Braking Systems

Auxiliary braking systems typically work in the drive

train o the prime mover; exhaust brakes, retarders

and intarders all use systems to slow the drive axles

o the vehicle.

Be aware that in icy and snowy weather there is

potential or skidding or locking up the driveaxle as

the ollowing axles on the vehicle rely wholly on the

drive axles to brake the vehicle.

REMEMBER

!

In slippery conditions

you should try to balance

the use o service and

auxiliary braking systems

FACT!

!

Sympathetic use o service brakes

will increase their operating lie

and ensure better perormance,

also saving you money


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4.6 Tyre Conditions

Ensuring that your tyres are in good condition on

both the steering and drive axles during the winter

months is particularly important.

To ensure that you remain within the law and dont

run the risk o a blowout, inspect tyres or damage

and wear beore every journey:

Inspect tread depth across the tyre

Check or correct operating pressure i

equipment is available (i not, plan visits to your

tter or checks oten)

Look or uneven wear on shoulders

Inspect dual tyres or even wear between tyres

Look or damage and cracks

Remove debris trapped in a tyres tread and

between twin tyres

Replace worn or damaged tyres immediately

Flat spots can indicate a locking brake


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4.7 Tyre Pressure

In very cold weather, tyres can appear to be under

infated as the air pressure inside drops with thetemperature.

Regular tyre pressure checks should ensure that as

the weather, temperature and air pressures change

the tyres are operating at the correct pressure.

!

FACT

Sot tyres increase rolling

!resistance and uel is wasted e.g.

a 10 psi all in tyre pressure will

result in a 1% increase in MPG

4.8 Wheel Alignment

The condition o your tyres is the earliest sign

o problems with wheel alignment or potential

damage to wheel hub, axle, suspension or braking

components.


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When a wheel is out o alignment it does not

run inline with the rest o the vehicle

The added drag on the tarmac will typically

wear the tyre aster reducing vehicle

perormance and shortening the lie o the tyre

Tyres which have scrubbed on the shoulder

may be attached to a wheel which is out o

alignment

!FACT!

A wheel out o alignment by just

1 on only one axle could increase

uel consumption by around 5%

4.9 Lights, Markers & Refectors

During bad weather other drivers ability to see your

vehicle is as important as your ability to see other

vehicles.

Make sure that lights

are working all round

your vehicleREMEMBER

!

Drying road salt on the lenses greatly deteriorates

headlight eciency; these may need to be cleaned

regularly to ensure they remain eective.


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!FACT!

When driving at night clean

and ecient headlights reduce

eyestrain and driver atigue!

When using headlights and og lights in very poor

visibility remember to turn them o again when the

weather clears to avoid dazzling other road users.

Side marker lamps must be visible at set intervals

along your vehicle. I snow or ice builds up you must

stop to clean these lights.

Beore every journey and throughout a long journey

in winter months:

Regularly check and clean all onboard lights

Clean debris rom all markers and refectors at

all rest stops and breaks

Replace broken bulbs, light clusters and

refectors BEFORE setting o again


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!

FACT!

I other road users cant see you

they cant avoid you, 22% o all

HGV accidents are as a result o

the driver ailing to look properly!

4.10 Catwalks, Ladders and Trailer BedsSlips, trips and alls are responsible or the greatest

number o accidents in the workplace. During snow

and icy weather you must be extra careul when

walking or climbing on the outside o your vehicle.

Ensure that you have slip resistant ootwear

with good grip

Remove snow and ice on the catwalk behind

the cab

Be careul o ice and snow when walking across

fat or exposed trailer beds in winter weather

Chip ice o ladders, tail lits and ramps BEFORE

attempting to climb on or operate them

Ater cold nights, watch out or ice which may

all rom your vehicle and become a danger to

other road users

!FACT!

Ice alling rom your vehicle

is classed as an insecure load,

you can be prosecuted or

damage it may cause


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4.11 CurtainSided TrailersIn high winds, curtainsided trailers and loose sheeted

fatbed vehicles can be aected by wind damage

more than other vehicle body types. The risk o blow

over is ar higher when operating a curtainsided

trailer due to the air pressure dierence between the

windward and leeward side o the vehicle.

When running a curtainsided trailer empty in high

winds, it may be necessary to tie back the curtains

to avoid a blow over. When making this decision you

must assess the risks involved.

Factors which may be considered in this are tying back

curtains to reduce the wind load on the trailer or i this

is not possible, rerouting away rom high and exposed

routes to minimise risk to you, your vehicle and other

road users and pedestrians.

Damage to curtains and sheets must be repaired

immediately not only to protect your vehicles load but

because loose trim may be hazardous to other road

users.

4.12 Straps and Lashings

I your vehicle is a curtainsided trailer or a fatbed

with sheeted load, you must check your vehicle over

regularly. Ensure there are no loose lashings, chains,

ropes and straps which may break away rom the load

in high winds.


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You should check the condition o your straps,

worn or damaged straps can ail. Replace damaged

equipment at the earliest opportunity. Report any

deected equipment to your Transport Manager.

REMEMBER

It is illegal to drive an

HGV with loose lashings

and chains which may

cause a danger to other

road users

!


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Be Prepared

Beore starting your journey in bad weather, you

should plan your route in detail. Identiy any potential

hazardous locations on the route and where you will

need to stop or rest breaks.

I necessary take advice rom other drivers and your

Transport Manager over issues you may ace on your

journey.


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5.1 Route Planning

Taking 10 minutes to plan your route beore starting

your journey could save you hours out on the road.

Always plan or an alternative route to allow or road

closures during bad weather. When planning a routeduring bad weather try to:

Identiy the locations where there is a risk o

high winds, particularly on high or exposed

routes

Be aware o potential localised road closuresthrough snow gates, food risk, landslip or

other dangers

Always prepare or a suitable diversion route

!FACT! Getting lost causes stress,wastes uel and money

5.2 Radio Advice or the Route Ahead

Your best deence against getting lost or stuck in

trac is orward planning. Local radio is one o the

best and most up to date methods o monitoring

weather and trac. You can tune your incab radio

by:


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Using the Trac Report (TP) or Trac

Announcement (TA) button, this unction can

tune into local as well as national trac reports

More modern radios also eature the Trac

Inormation Memory (TIM) unction which canbe set up to record trac announcements

beore your journey

5.3 Variable Message Signs (VMS)

Variable Message Signs (VMS) are used to transer shortmessages to road users and provide accurate and up

to date inormation on local trac delays.


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REMEMBER

!in bad weather listen to

the radio and watch VMS

signs or trac reports!

5.4 Internet and RSS Services

A number o Internet based trac and weather

services are available. Some examples are:

Trafc Scotland:

http://www.tracscotland.org/trac.aspx

Trafc England:http://www.tracengland.com/

Met Ofce:http://www.metoce.gov.uk/weather/uk/

5.5 Satellite Navigation

Some satellite navigation equipment has builtin or

optional realtime trac updates. You can only use

one i it is available. It could save you lost miles, time

and money.

5.6 Pack Your Bags

During bad weather you should prepare or delays

and the possibility that you could have to spend

longer in the vehicle than normal. You should be

prepared to bring with you:
http://www.trafficscotland.org/traffic.aspxhttp://www.trafficengland.com/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/http://www.trafficengland.com/http://www.trafficscotland.org/traffic.aspx


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Warm jacket

Gloves and hat

Winter boots

Spare clothing

Bottles o water

Extra ood and a fask o warm drink

A blanket

Mobile phone and charger

FACT!

!Training and preparationis vital. Dont go out in severe

weather conditions without

being properly prepared

5.7 Rest Stops & Breaks

Plan your rest stops and breaks ahead o travelling.

When operating in bad weather make sure you have

a plan or suitable places to park your vehicle in the

event o the weather closing in and preventing youronward progress.

During bad weather you should always have a

secondary route planned. A journey you consider

simple on a ne day can result in signicant

additional time and mileage during bad weather.


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5.8 Fixed Diversion Routes

Fixed diversion routes are shown through the use o

trac signs and VMS

messaging. Typical

situations where re

routing may occur are

the closures o bridgecrossings due to high

winds or accidents.

REMEMBER

!I you have to ollow a

fxed diversion routemake sure it is suitable or

your vehicle type!

5.9 Own Choice Diversion

Where you know rom experience that high and

exposed routes are likely to be closed or very

treacherous, make sure that you plan a diversionary

route suitable to your vehicle. Stop and take your

time to plan ahead using Maps, Atlases or SatNav.

REMEMBER

!Your vehicle height isdisplayed in your cab,

but dont orget to

check the specifcs o

your trailer or load


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5.10 Getting StuckI you do get stuck in snow or in a trac hold up, you

may have to park up until snow ploughs can clear

a route or an accident has been removed rom the

carriageway. When you park up or the night or to take

a rest period, make sure you do so in a sae and legal

place.

REMEMBER

!In these circumstances

ollow the requests o any

ocial at the location

5.11 Ater your Diversion Route

Once you rejoin your original route, DO NOT be

tempted to push past the legal driving hours just to

make up mileage, drivers hours are still mandatoryeven under exceptional circumstances.


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Appendix

Freight Best Practice

Tel: 0845 877 0 877

www.reightbestpractice.org.uk/scotland

Health and Saety Executive (HSE)

Tel: 08701 545 500

www.hse.gov.uk

Driving at work managing workrelated road

saety (HSE)

Health and saety in road haulage (HSE)

Workplace Transport Saety (HSE)WorkSmart videos or workplace transport (HSE)

Department or Transport (DT)

Tel: 020 7944 8300

www.dt.gov.uk

Saety o Loads on Vehicles Code o Practice (DT)

Work related road saety (DT)

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)

Tel: 0870 606 0440

www.vosa.gov.uk

Drivers hours and tachograph rules or goods

vehicles in the UK (VOSA)

Your guide to ABS and EBS (VOSA)

Guide to maintaining roadworthiness (VOSA)

Check it out DVD (VOSA)
http://www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/scotlandhttp://www.hse.gov.uk/http://www.dft.gov.uk/http://www.vosa.gov.uk/http://www.vosa.gov.uk/http://www.dft.gov.uk/http://www.hse.gov.uk/http://www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/scotland


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Freight Best Practice publications, including those listed below, can be

obtained FREE of charge by calling the Hotline on 0845 877 0 877 or by

downloading them from the website www.freightbestpractice.org.uk

SavingFUEL PerformanceMANAGEMENT

Fuel Saving Tips

This handy pocket guide is ideal for

drivers and managers looking for

simple ways to reduce fuel

consumption.

CaseSTUDIESCompanies and Drivers Benefitfrom SAFED for HGVs: ASelection of Case Studies

This selection of case studies

describes the benefits experienced by15 companies and their drivers who

have taken part in the Safe and Fuel

Efficient Driving (SAFED) scheme.

Equipment & SYSTEMSTelematics for Efficient RoadFreight Operations

This guide provides imformation on

the basic ingredients of telematics

systems, highlights how to use this

technology, the information obtained

from it and how to select the right

system for your needs.

Fleet Performance ManagementTool Incorporating CO2 Calculator

This tool has been designed to help

fleet operators improve their

operational efficiency using key

performance indicators (KPIs) to

measure and manage performance.

KPIs include costs, operational,service, compliance, maintenance

and environmental.

Transport Operators Pack-TOPTOP provides practical every day

support material to help operators

implement best practice in the

workplace and acts in direct support of

tasks essential to running a successful

fuel management programme.

DevelopingSKILLSDrive It! DVD

A 25 minute driver focussed DVD

helping to inform and educate on

methods of improving efficiency. It

contains several examples and case

studies of how companies improved

their own operational efficiency.
http://www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/http://www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/

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