Making Winter Driving Safer For Your Employees

Winter expects a lot from BC drivers, especially when they’re driving for work. Snow, rain, ice, fog, freezing temperatures, poor visibility and limited traction create risky driving conditions. Whether your employees drive for work every day or only occasionally, they might encounter any – and sometimes all – of those dangerous conditions.

Almost one third of work-related crashes that result in injury and lost time happen in November, December and January. Reducing crash risks means making sure drivers have the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours, work vehicles are properly equipped, and both are ready to tackle the winter roads ahead. This course will help employers and supervisors achieve those goals.

Using a before, during and after winter approach, this course identifies and explains the key steps of planning, implementing, monitoring and improving an effective winter driving safety program. It identifies processes and practices that are essential parts of that program along with tools and resources that support those steps.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify winter driving hazards and assess risks
2. Access resources to help employees build driving competencies
3. Develop a winter driving safety policy and associated practices
4. Explain how to prepare work vehicles for winter
5. Plan and prepare for safer winter trips

This course has three lessons:

Lesson 1:  Before Winter

Explains the steps and actions employers and supervisors should take before winter:

• Learn about legal obligations.
• Identify winter driving hazards and assess risks.
• Develop a policy and procedures.
• Provide suitable training to drivers.
• Prepare vehicles for winter.

Lesson 2:  During Winter

Explains important things to do during winter:

• Use effective journey management.
• Use Road Safety At Work trip planning tools to reduce day-to-day driving risks.
• Maintain work vehicles in good condition.
• Support drivers with periodic reminders.
• Provide effective supervision.

Lesson 3: After Winter

Explains important actions employers and supervisors should take after winter:

• Gather feedback and analyze results from the recent winter.
• Use that information to improve processes.
• Build an action plan for better results next winter

Throughout the course, you will find information in text, videos, interactive graphics and activities. The course uses practical examples, scenarios and activities designed to help you understand the concepts and methods so you can apply them in your workplace.

Activities are designed to help you confirm that you have gained the intended knowledge and will be able to apply what you’ve learned. Once you’ve completed all lessons, you’ll be able to access and print your Certificate.

This course should take 90 to 120 minutes to complete.