Yep, winter really can be the the “cruelest season”. (Even though it is easier with my 7 Winter Survival Tools .) With 16 employees and 6 company service vehicles I dreaded winter driving. My guess is you do too.
Your toughest winter problem? Driving on treacherous snow packed and icy roads! (And even worse are your client’s driveways!) Then you have to worry about other idiot drivers slaloming around out there! So your very best winter “survival tool” is to simply…
SLOW DOWN! Most winter road problems come from driving too fast for the conditions!
Safe stopping distances increase dramatically on snow-packed roads so remind your techs that “easy does it”. (Tap-tap-tap those brakes!)
So book your employees the extra time they need between jobs! (And resist the temptation to “shoehorn” in “just one more job”!)
NOTE: Always have your techs park in the street and “pre-walk” a long driveway BEFORE they gun the van into it! (And especially so when they can’t see all the way to the end.) You can avoid most “getting stuck” problems by not driving where you shouldn’t be in the first place!
Residential HINT: Add to your winter time residential Phone Format this request to the home owner, “Please be sure to have your driveway cleared of snow and accessible for our truck.” Then if you have fresh snow call the homeowner to verify safe access before leaving the shop.
Restoration HINT: A stressed-out, traumatized Insured may not take kindly to the “clear your driveway” reminder above. Instead, keep a snowplow driver on-call to clean up that water or fire loss driveway BEFORE your trucks get stuck in it!
NOTE: The very best way to stay safe 365 days a year? Train your employees to ask themselves this “What happens if I do this?” question BEFORE they proceed!
Finally, invest in really good snow tires. Don’t screw around on this! One tow truck bill (or collision deductible) will pay for some great snow tires! And if you do get stuck turn on your flashers and set out warning triangles. (And remind your employees to be cautious as they walk on slick roads with out-of-control vehicles!)
Steve