Why it’s important your drivers are prepared
We all know the old adage: fail to prepare, prepare to fail. By being pro-active and encouraging drivers to think ahead, your business is then better prepared to pro-actively deal with worse-case-scenarios. Doing the right checks and packing the right equipment can save valuable businesses time and money and it can also save a life.
What are the main things drivers should be checking on vehicles?
Here’s a handy check list for your fleet:
- Drivers are usually advised to check tyre pressure, engine oil, screen wash and coolant levels every two weeks
- They should carry a tool kit in the vehicle or at least a jack and wheel removing tools (if there is a spare tyre)
- Intermittently, windscreens should be examined for small chips and all lights should be checked including rear, brake and fog lights, as well as the bodywork for any damage or rust
- It’s also a good idea to get the garage to fill the power steering’s hydraulic fluid reservoir when they service a vehicle
What else should drivers be doing before setting off?
Most drivers are sensible and remember to check fuel levels, probably because we all know that suddenly remembering half way through a journey that a top up was required is not ideal. But there’s so many more things drivers can do to make life easy on the roads.
A spare blanket is an essential if someone breaks down, as they can’t rely on the heating system to keep them warm, particularly in the winter months. Some de-icer spray and a scraper are pretty standard winter equipment to get the journey off to a good start.
But what about a phone charger? A luxury perhaps, but pretty much essential if it’s doubling up as a sat nav.
For long business journeys, as well as all the usual checks, it’s a good idea to spend some time planning routes before setting off. It’s always tempting to just insert the post code in the sat nav and go, but especially if using an older device, a double check with google maps can save a lot of bother.
It’s advisable for drivers to take a full view of the route before setting off, and for them to make a note of where’s best to divert if there’s trouble ahead.
