Each season has its unique challenges for fleet drivers who are out on the roads every day. In the summer, the common road hazards are not just from the weather, but also from people. Summer is a time when children are out of school, tourists throng the commercial sectors, and reckless driving is at its peak. Fleet drivers trying to complete an efficient daily route need to watch out for risks involving both hot summer weather and a far more chaotic local environment.
At Wilmar, we're familiar with summertime conditions in towns and cities across the US. Today, we're here to share a few smart summertime safety tips for fleet drivers that will keep you, your cargo, and your company safe as the summer heats up.
1) Be Careful Around Tourists, Walking and Driving
Tourists flock to every corner of the country during the window of summer vacation. Even locals begin acting like tourists, wearing shorts and walking the local shopping districts like traffic doesn't exist. All fleet drivers should take extra care when in areas with a high tourist concentration. This includes anywhere within the vicinity of a shopping mall, restaurant cluster, beach, row of bars, and downtown. They might step into the road at any time.
You should also watch out for reckless summer driving - from drivers of any age or origin. Sometimes tourists, sometimes just summer-drunk (or actually drunk) drivers who are releasing their inner speed demon, it's up to you to drive defensively on your summertime routes.
2) Keep an Eye on Children Playing Nearby
Summer is also when children are out of school. This increases the potential risk when driving in residential areas, or near local parks and attractions. If there are children playing nearby - even far from the road - keep an eye on them just in case they chase a fly-ball into the road at any moment.
3) Learn The Difference Between a Heat Mirage & an Oil Slick
You may have noticed that when the weather really heats up, you are likely to see shimmery mirages of liquid floating just over the road. These are known as "Hot Road Mirages" and are common in any state where summers rise over 80 degrees F. Mirages are particularly common when the air is still.
Train your eyes to identify the difference between hot road mirages and similarly shimmering oil slicks. You may need to slow down for an oil slick, but if the vision never gets closer and seems to float above the road, maintain your speed through the mirage.
4) Prepare for Increased Summertime Demand
Many, many industries that require a fleet experience a demand peak during the summer. Food delivery, home maintenance and repairs, e-commerce orders, and more often see a higher summer volume because people have more time and are making more plans. If your services require clear weather for outdoor work, it is all the more likely that summer will be the season of choice for your clients.
Make sure you have enough drivers scheduled and routes planned to cover the demand. Work together to balance vacations and days off evenly.
5) Watch the Weather Forecasts
Lastly, summer is known for clear skies and sun - but this isn't universally true in every region. Summer is also hurricane season within the hurricane belt and serious thunderstorms or wildfires can blow up in many parts of the country during the summer. Keep an eye on the weather reports. Make sure your drivers and vehicles are ready for torrential rains - or to hunker down if truly dangerous weather stirs up.
Keep Your Fleet Safe This Summer with Wilmar
Fleet management in the summertime is a unique challenge in which vehicle maintenance and driver training are essential. Wilmar, Inc. can help you build, maintain, and manage the right fleet for the job, alongside useful resources like driver training tips and safety protocols suited to your industry and region. Contact us today for your fleet management needs.
