Vehicle Advice

Driving at night:

• During darker hours driving is significantly different, and without considering safety precautions it can also become hazardous.
• Always check that all lights inside and outside the vehicle are working correctly before beginning your journey.
• Allowing time to drive slower in darker hours as visibility is significantly reduced and you may not see a pedestrian, other road user or hazard until the last minute. This gives you more time to see what is in front of your vehicle and more time to react if needed.
• Make sure you take regular breaks from driving in night conditions, remember the risk of falling asleep or becoming tired is much greater. If you cannot avoid driving within darker hours ensure you allow time for a break and find somewhere safe to take a short rest if you feel tired.

Prepare your vehicle ahead of time:

• If possible, arrange to have a service carried out on your vehicle before the winter months really set in.
• Check regularly that the antifreeze levels are correct within the coolant system.
• Routinely checking that the windscreen and wipers are in adequate working order and that there is enough screen wash before making a long journey.
• Always check that all lights inside and outside the vehicle are working correctly and replace any bulbs immediately.
• Regularly checking the vehicles battery and replacing it if there is any sign of damage or issues.
• Before every journey ensure the breaks are checked and the vehicle is safe to drive.
• Keeping an eye on the tyres and looking for damages such as cuts, holes, cracks or bulging areas. Any detection of fault needs to be dealt with straight away as they can lead to a slow puncture or in worse cases a blow out at higher speeds.
• Make sure your tyre thread is a minimum depth of 3mm. If this drops to below 2mm it must be replaced immediately.
• Checking tyre pressure at regular intervals, always keeping them at the correct pressure for the tyres and vehicle.
• Ensure the vehicles insurance is up to date and covers all activities included within your organisation. For more information about charity minibus insurance follow this link: https://ladbrook.co.uk/products/charity-fleet-insurance/

Emergency kit:

Putting together a few items ahead of the winter months is never a bad idea. This allows you to drive easy, knowing that if the worst was to happen you are prepared. Think about including the following items to your emergency kit:

• De-icer spray and an ice scraper
• Reflective triangle
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Water bottle and non-perishable foods
• Snow shovel
• Charging leads for your mobile phone or a charged power bank
• Torch and batteries
• Warm winter clothing, boots and blankets or sleeping bag
• Sat nav and maps
• Documentation of insurance, including contact numbers for breakdown or hotlines

It is also a great idea to distribute these items or an advisory list within the charity, voluntary group or social enterprise to keep all members as safe as possible.

Before commencing on a journey:

• Can your journey be postponed? Is it safe to drive in the weather conditions?
• Ensure you and the charity, voluntary group or social enterprise (if applicable) are considering the potentially severe weather conditions, and age or experience of the driver especially if they are due to travel alone.
• Allow time to check weather conditions and upcoming changes before setting off.
• Stick to main, well maintained roads whenever possible.
• Check that your vehicle has enough fuel four the journey ahead. If there are severe weather conditions, there could be less fuel stations open.
• Again ensure the vehicles insurance is up to date and covers all activities included within your organisation. For more information about charity minibus insurance follow this link.
• Tell a friend, family member or a member of your voluntary group where you are going and when you are due to arrive, so they can check that you have arrived safely.
• Be cautious when breaking and manoeuvre slowly and carefully to avoid losing control of your vehicle.
• Road surfaces could be wet, icy or compromised due to bad weather. Be conscious of this even if they have been treated.
• If you find your vehicle skidding ensure you lower your clutch, steer into the skid and avoid breaking harshly.
• Black ice is one of the main unseen hazards within winter months. Remember this can look like a wet surface so drive with caution.

Please remember that the dangers and precautions during winter months are not limited to those listed above. Always consider yours and other safety before making any decisions around driving or addressing risks/hazards. The safety of the community, voluntary groups, social enterprises and charities that we work with and those that we have yet had the please to is the most important thing to us and out business.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year from the Ladbrook Insurance team!