Weather Conditions
November 2025
Driver Managers – improve your understanding
Our monthly fleet focus delves deeper into some of the key road safety topics to improve your understanding, with free resources for you to share with your drivers.
Each month’s topic sits in a library so, as the library grows each month, you can access a bank of resources at any time to help you improve driver safety in your organisation.
Weather Conditions – does everyone understand their responsibilities?
Being prepared for the changes in seasons is so important. We know that every season brings its own unique driving challenges, but preparation and awareness can make all the difference, keeping drivers and other road users safe on the roads. It’s about being ready – before your drivers set off do they have water, some snacks, a mobile phone and appropriate clothing?
Think about the journey – can it be planned to make the most of daylight, and to avoid bridges in high winds for example? When it comes to vehicle checks – make sure your vehicles’ tyres have good tread, and are properly inflated. Check the oil and coolant levels, and ensure lights, wipers and washer fluids are all in good shape and working properly.
And a tip for Winter – remind your drivers not to leave the engine running to defrost the windscreen. Not only is it illegal, but it’s bad for the environment. Use a scraper instead.
Specific hazards for wet weather:
- Stopping distances can be up to 10 times more than on a dry road
- High winds are a real challenge for high sided vehicles – they can literally be blown over on bridges for example
- Fog – go slower, hang back and make sure your fog lights are on
- Every season has its own risks – the additional cyclists in the Summer, slippery leaves in the Autumn, and ice in the Winter.
By being prepared for the conditions your drivers can make every journey safer.
Your Legal Update: Weather Conditions
Your fleet drivers will assert they are the most competent of drivers and that the vehicle they are driving is well maintained and safe.
Having a safe combination of driver and vehicle is essential whatever driving task they are engaged in.
Fleet managers should therefore consider the impact of the weather, regardless of the season.
The Health and Safety Executive recommends that journey planning should:
- take account of appropriate routes;
- incorporate realistic work schedules;
- not put drivers at risk from fatigue;
- take sufficient account of adverse weather conditions.
Read the full legal update on weather conditions and your responsibilities here.
Driver Resources – Weather Conditions
What’s in the Resource Download
Download a zip file with additional resources to share with your drivers including:
- An article to share with your drivers on seasonal driving and winter prep
- Short safety messages on winter driving to share with drivers on their devices
- Autumn and Winter Driving Posters for your staff noticeboards
- Information sheets from our Van Driver Toolkit and Car Driver Toolkit
