Flock’s Guide to Driving in Icy Conditions

Flock’s winter driving guide helps fleets stay safe in icy conditions. Learn how to prepare vehicles, drive smoothly, and use Flock’s insurance to cut risks and costs.

Driving in dangerous conditions

Winter brings a unique set of challenges to the road, particularly for fleets navigating busy routes. Icy conditions, snowstorms, and freezing temperatures can turn a routine drive into a high-risk journey. Whether you’re managing a fleet or driving solo, preparation is the first line of defence against icy risks.

Preparing for your journey

Before setting off in winter conditions, think of your vehicles as a lifeline. Ensure they’re packed with essentials: warm clothes, sturdy boots, and a blanket for warmth, just in case drivers find themselves stranded. A thermos of hot tea and some snacks can keep spirits up on long, cold delays.

Making sure every vehicle has a sturdy ice scraper and a small shovel can make all the difference if snow piles up near the tyres. Traction aids like sand, grit, or old floor mats can help regain grip when the road gets slippery. And don’t forget the importance of a fully charged mobile phone—you never know when you might need to call for assistance.

A fleet manager’s checklist

Preparation begins with having the right tools and essentials on board. For fleet managers, this means making sure vehicles are winter-proofed to prevent costly downtime.

Check tyres

Winter tyres, with their improved grip, can make a real difference, especially in areas prone to heavy snowfall. Even standard tyres should have sufficient tread depth—at least 3mm—to handle slippery surfaces. As a fleet manager, it’s worth regularly inspecting tyres across all fleet vehicles. 

Test batteries

Car batteries often fail in cold weather, so it’s vital to also check their condition. Regular long drives help maintain charge, but investing in a trickle charger is a smart move if your vehicles are idle for extended periods.

Add antifreeze

Screen wash, infused with antifreeze, keeps windscreens clear, while a full tank of fuel ensures that drivers won’t run out if delays occur. For electric vehicles (EVs), cold weather drains batteries faster, so plan for extra charging stops and, if possible, park them in a garage or depot overnight to preserve battery life.

Equip vehicles with snow chains

Snowstorms or icy conditions can disrupt your supply chains, so make sure your fleet is equipped with the right tools, like snow chains and the correct tyres. It’s also a good idea to have a contingency plan for re-routing deliveries during extreme weather.

Mastering the art of winter driving

Driving on snow-covered roads requires a lighter touch and sharper focus. Imagine pulling away from a slippery surface—starting in second gear and gently lifting the clutch can prevent your wheels from spinning.

Then, maintaining momentum on the road is crucial. Drive too fast, and you’ll lose control; go too slow, and you risk getting stuck. In winter, smoothness is everything: drivers should accelerate, brake, and steer as if they’re on glass.

Braking distances in snow are up to 10 times greater than on dry roads, so drivers must always keep their distance. On motorways, it’s important to stick to clear tracks and avoid sudden lane changes, which can cause vehicles to skid.

What if a vehicle from your fleet gets stuck?

No one plans to get stuck, but it happens to the best of us. If a vehicle refuses to budge, tell drivers to resist the urge to gun the engine—it’ll only dig in deeper. Instead, gently alternate between forward and reverse gears, applying just enough throttle to nudge the car free.

Clearing snow from around the tyres with a shovel can help, as can sprinkling sand or gravel for extra traction. And if drivers need to run the engine to stay warm, they should always check that the exhaust pipe is clear to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.

Facing the cold in an electric vehicle 

For EV drivers, winter presents unique challenges. Cold temperatures sap battery efficiency, meaning you’ll need to stop for charges more often. Switching to “eco mode” helps conserve energy, as does parking in a garage or under a cover to keep the battery warm. Planning routes with reliable charging points becomes even more essential.

Staying safe with connected fleet insurance

A big part of winter driving is getting ready for the snow and ice—this helps keep your fleet operational and your drivers safe. Preparation is key, but so is having the right tools to handle incidents when they happen. By equipping your fleet with winter-ready vehicles, proactive safety measures, and a solid plan for emergencies, you can minimise risks and keep operations running smoothly.

But even with the right preparation, accidents can still happen. That’s where Flock’s connected fleet insurance comes in. By giving fleet managers access to Safety Insights and telematics data in the Flock Portal, fleet managers can monitor driving behaviours, digitally report claims, and keep insurance costs low across the winter period.

With proactive safety measures and quicker claims reporting, your fleet can navigate the challenges of colder weather with confidence—while reducing insurance costs long-term.

Stay safe, stay efficient, and use Flock to identify the drivers that need most support this winter.

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