Are your drivers aware of the most hazardous areas in residential neighborhoods? Not everyone knows where to expect black ice or why you should never walk across a snowy front yard.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), approximately 70% of the U.S. population lives in an area that receives five or more inches of snowfall annually. But that’s not all…

Slip, trip and fall injuries are the #1 worker’s comp claim and the #2 reason drivers get injured. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average cost of a slip and fall incident is $47,000+. Ouch!

Does Your Driver Training Program Cover Winter Safety?

Driver injuries are all too common. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, drivers have the highest injury rate of any profession, and 61% of delivery driver injuries are slips, trips or falls. Construction jobs and police work are both considered “safer” than driving.

Whether you manage a fleet of delivery drivers, or your team makes regular house calls, how to safely navigate neighborhoods in winter is an essential topic. Here are a few winter safety fundamentals:

  • Footwear forms the foundation. Sturdy shoes with rugged tread prevent slips and falls.
  • Planning prevents rushing. Drivers (and dispatchers) should allow extra time to arrive at the destination, find a safe place to park and get to the customer’s front door without rushing.
  • Step down, not out. When exiting a vehicle or moving off the sidewalk to the street, stepping down (not out) can prevent slip and fall injuries.

Help drivers avoid injuries and downtime this winter by sharing our winter safety resources content hub. Download your free bundle today!