Van Pools Blog

By Andy Bawden
VPSI’s Loss Prevention and Safety Manager

In many areas, winter weather presents challenges to drivers. The van driver, the vanpool group and the van must be prepared and ready to expect the unexpected.

Prepare the driver

A driver prepares by getting an early start each day. Adequate rest and proper nourishment may sound old fashioned, but they are still great preparation. A driver should watch or listen to the weather the evening before bed and in the morning before departing. Also know what the traffic report is for the commute.

If weather is too severe, have a plan to cancel the commute. Crashes, injuries and loss of life can be avoided by making the decision to NOT drive the van if conditions are dangerous.

Prepare the vanpool group

Group communication is the key here. Now is the time to discuss with the vanpool group how a decision to cancel or delay will be made and conveyed to the group if the commute is too dangerous.

Everyone should have everyone else’s phone number in the van and at their home. Don’t put the group at risk because someone is unwilling or unable to be reached or won’t agree with a decision if it is too dangerous to drive.

Prepare the van

Stick closely to the maintenance schedule and let the approved service providers keep the engine winter ready. Tires must be checked and adjusted more frequently to the recommended inflations to ensure proper road gripping and handling. Replace worn or streaky windshield wipers and carry a bottle of windshield solvent.

Equip the van with a map or GPS that the co-pilot (the other person in the front of the van) is familiar with its use. Carry a scraper and a brush. Have available warm boots, a bright reflective coat, hat and gloves as well as a flashlight, extra batteries, and a shovel.

When driving in slippery weather the driver must reduce speed and increase following distance as well as increasing the distance between the van and the following vehicle. Use the brake lights to send a message to the drivers behind the van to increase their following distances. Don’t get caught between two vehicles without enough space to see or to make a lane change. Glance in the mirrors often to be aware of vehicles behind and beside the van. The van has anti-lock brakes if it is necessary to stop suddenly; keep the brake pedal firmly depressed, do not pump anti-lock brakes.

Heavy traffic can become a problem anytime but especially in the winter when the days are shorter and our to-do lists are longer. It is a driver’s responsibility to get the van and the group safely to their destination. Stay in control and take all the time you need to be safe.

The driver and the passengers must be buckled in their seat and lapbelts at all times when the van is operating to avoid an injury in a crash. If the van is involved in a crash; stay in the vehicle. Injuries occur when occupants leave the safety of the van.

Andy Bawden is VPSI’s Loss Prevention and Safety Manager. He conducts Vanpool Safety Meetings throughout the country. Contact Andy at VPSI’s Troy, Michigan Home Office at 248-597-3544.

Tags: Andy Bawden, driving, Loss Prevention and Safety Manager, tips, Vanpool, weather, winter

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 10:10 am and is filed under Commuting, Interviews and Experts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.