Key I

Ryder Safety Message Driving on Snow and Ice

Old Man Winter is right around the corner, and that means roads covered in snow and ice. Are you prepared? Do you have an ice scraper in your cab? Do you have warm gloves and a back-up pair in case the ÿrst get wet? Are your wiper blades in good condition and your defroster in good working order? NEVER drive if your visibility is blocked or impaired!

Key II Statistics show that the majority of bad weather collisions occur on the ÿrst day of a storm. That’s the ÿrst day of any storm, whether it’s the ÿrst or the last storm of the season. Human beings, by nature, are slow to adjust to change. Therefore, the most important adjustment you can make is to SLOW DOWN and recognize that everything you do will take longer due to the bad weather. Understand that tight delivery times may not be able to be made and to make up time due to delays is nearly impossible.

Key III Slick roads increase a vehicle’s stopping distance. This means you MUST increase your space cushion and follow-ing distance. Allow 1 second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length you are operating, and, add an additional second when traveling at speeds over 40 mph and when traveling on slick, snowy or icy roadways.

Key IV The greatest potential for an ice-related collision is right when the outside temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The combination of wet and freezing roads give you the least amount of road surface to grip when stopping. Remember, bridges and overpasses freeze ÿrst and NEVER use cruise control on slick roads.

Always slow your vehicle prior to entering any turns. Braking too hard on a slick road while in a turn can push your vehicle outside of your intended path of travel, continuing in a straight line rather than following the curve in the roadway.

Key V Finally, weather and road conditions may make it too dangerous to drive. When this occurs, stop at a safe haven, call Captain of the Ship and wait for direction from your Supervisor. Always wait out a storm until it is absolutely safe to travel again.