Just last week there were news reports of drivers becoming stranded on the M25 in wintery weather as snow ground sections of the road to a halt. And this brings us to think about the essentials that you should be keeping in your HGV in case this or something similar should happen to you.
Cold weather survival kit
Whilst we hope you won’t breakdown or become stranded in the cold weather, it can be best to prepare for all possible scenarios.
Equipment you may want to keep in your truck in case this should happen can include
- De-icer or an ice scraper
- A snow shovel
- Jump leads
- A first aid kit
- A small tool kit
- A torch
- A high visibility jacket
- An emergency foil blanket
- Warm blankets and clothing
- Sunglasses – the glare from the sun can be strong in the autumn and winter months
It may be possible to buy pre-prepared winter survival kits to keep in your cab, your employer may provide this for you, or you may want to create your own kit.
You may also want to think about supplies in case of significant delays
- Plenty of bottled water
- Energy bars or other types of high energy non-perishable food
Important documents
It’s also important that you keep the right documentation with you in your cab.
You’ll want your insurance documents so that you know who to contact in the event of an accident. And if you have breakdown cover in place then you’ll want to have these documents to hand as well.
As an HGV driver you may also be required to keep other documentation in your vehicle. And this may vary depending on whether you are carrying out domestic or international haulage work.
Other areas to consider when driving in the winter months
Winter can provide a range of challenging driving conditions, such as cold weather, wet weather, or high winds.
We recently looked at tips for driving an HGV safely in high winds. And have also put together some tips for driving safely over the winter months.
Ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive will also be important as this is your responsibility. And carrying out daily HGV checks should remain a priority.
As a fleet manager, road safety and the safety of your drivers should be top of mind and managing risks linked to various weather events will be a key part of this. As will having the right insurance cover in place to protect your drivers should an accident happen. Do get in touch with us at Anthony Jones to see how we can help you arrange the right fleet insurance for your business – whether you operate a single HGV or manage a whole fleet. Contact us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
