Is Winter Over Yet?
Not quite. But we’re getting there!
Since November, we have had one major winter-related accident. The accident was a blow over in Wyoming. With COVID and lousy winter weather, the beginning of 2021 has been frustrating. But thank you for encouraging one another, working together, and supporting business throughout this crazy winter.
Director of HR & Safety, Rick Schmidt, comments, “Considering the winter we’re having, I would say that we have been very successful. Thank you all for driving safe out on the road and driving safe out on these roads. Let’s keep up the success and end this winter on a high note!
Drive safe and remember, if you think you are going slow enough, go a little slower!”
Development Coordinator Cory Adams knows how it goes on the road. He takes a moment to remind, “Nussbaum drivers have a strong desire to see loads delivered on time, and so does Operations. Overcoming this desire with the practice of going much slower or even getting off the road when it is too dangerous to drive is paramount.
Taking the risk of sliding into a ditch or being blown over is not doing the whole job. We must deliver loads safely. When the weather is a problem in making on-time delivery, then so be it. We need to communicate – drivers to DMs, DMs to account representatives, and the representatives to the customers.
Drivers have the final say if it is unsafe to drive where they are.”
Winter Driving Tips
You’ve heard these tips before, but we want them to be so second-nature that you apply them without thinking if it happens to you.
- Don’t spin! Keep traction!
- When you start to slide, avoid major jerks and movements
- Be light on the throttle
- Beware of bridges when it’s cold
- Look for splatter from the wheels of vehicles passing you – if you don’t see spray, it’s icy!
- Be cautious in windy conditions (take a look at the graphic below)
Driving on a winter road is like driving for excellent fuel mileage or getting all 10’s on the scorecard, except it is to the 10th degree!
