Preparing your taxi fleet during the winter months

From preparing your cab and helping customers to managing your drivers’ mental health, here’s how to have a successful winter season.

 

Running a taxi business in winter months can be challenging but also profitable. With all those Christmas parties and shoppers looking for rides, you can’t exactly afford to hang up your taxi keys and head off to the Bahamas for the winter.

 

What are the best ways you can prepare for the colder months? When you get a taxi insurance quote, does it cover all your winter risks adequately?

What are the risks in winter?

 

If you’re a cab driver, it’ll come as no surprise that the cold season brings plenty of challenges. First, the weather: reduced light cuts visibility, making it hard to see the road ahead. Ice, snow and fog can bring traffic to a standstill. Even if the temperature stays above zero, increased rainfall can make driving harder and create slippery muddy conditions on the roads.

 

Winter puts more strain on your vehicle. You’re more likely to encounter battery problems or even a frozen radiator in the winter. You need to make sure systems for heating, windscreen wiping, antifreeze and so on are in good condition when you might not have used them for months in the summer.

 

People pose an extra challenge. Vulnerable clients such as older people or people with disabilities will be at increased risk of slipping on ice. You may encounter other drivers who seem clueless about driving in cold weather and increase risk for other road users.

 

At night, the party season can make city centres difficult to navigate as drinkers wobble their way home after one too many.

 

Winter can also be hard on drivers. Whereas in summer cabbies might enjoy standing out for a chat and a cuppa, in winter it can be a lonelier job, with long hours of driving in the dark. The cold and tricky driving conditions can reduce enjoyment of the role, impacting driver morale.

 

Let’s take a look at some ways you can keep your business on track in the winter months.

Taking care of your vehicle

 

At the end of autumn, it’s a good idea to do a thorough check of your vehicle and make sure it’s in tip top form for the coming cold season. A breakdown or accident means time off the road, which means less income and extra inconvenience.

 

Spending a little on maintenance before it gets too cold can pay off in the long run. Always check if there are particular things you need to do to maintain your vehicle under different providers when you get a taxi insurance quote.

 

Here are some of the elements you need to check:

• Tyres

  The legal limit might be 1.6 mm but we’d recommend having at least 3 mm of tread all round. Worn tyres will have reduced grip on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

   

  If you drive in an exposed location that often has deep snow, should you consider snow chains or winter tyres to help with icy roads? These will help with grip but can impact fuel economy.

• Battery

  Most batteries last up to five years. In winter, a vehicle will use more electricity for heating, lighting and wipers, adding to wear on the battery. A quick check at the garage will show if a battery is on its last legs.

   

  It’s probably better to replace at your own convenience than risk a flat battery with a customer in the back.

• Wipers

  Wiper blades are cheap and easy to clean or replace. Make sure they’re in good condition, and add antifreeze to screenwash to help prevent an icy screen.

   

  Check fleet drivers know that screens should be completely clear of snow, ice and debris before driving - they risk a fine for driving with partial visibility.

• Lights

  Check that all of the vehicle’s lights are working - sidelights, headlights on dipped and full beam but also fog and snow lights. Clean the lenses and make sure your drivers know what the law says about when different lights should be used.

   

  The registration plate should also be clean and legible at all times.

• Antifreeze

  Skimping on antifreeze is an absolute false economy, because it costs pennies but can protect your vehicle from expensive damage. In winter, a 50-50 mix of antifreeze to water is advisable.

   

  Check your vehicle manual to see if the car is designed for long-life antifreeze - some types of antifreeze need to be removed and changed after a few years.

• Snow kit

  For those twinkling icy windscreens, a good quality ice scraper is essential. A shovel and jump leads are also good to have on board.

• Winter emergency kit

  It’s always a good idea to carry emergency items like a warning triangle, high vis clothing and a first aid kit. In the winter months, you might want to add some items for breakdowns or accidents in the cold season. This might include a spare mobile phone and power bank, a fleece or foil blanket, and a torch with spare batteries.

   

  Warm clothes and waterproofs will also be very welcome for customers and drivers waiting at the side of the road for a rescue vehicle. Check whether breakdown insurance is included in your taxi insurance quote.

• Servicing

  Giving vehicles a service before the temperature drops can help to ensure they’re in good condition for the winter period. Regular servicing often pays for itself by picking up problems before they become bad enough to cause damage to the engine.

• Keeping clean

  Road gritting might help you get a grip on the road but this salty residue causes corrosion on your cab - rinsing the vehicle off at the end of each shift can help to keep it in good condition.

• Paying attention

  If drivers are aware of their vehicle and encouraged to report any concerns, it can prevent cars from being driven in a dangerous condition or developing more serious faults. For example, unusual sounds or a difference in handling should be investigated straight away.

• Breakdown cover

  When searching for taxi insurance quotes, breakdown cover could ensure your drivers, cabs and passengers aren’t stranded in the cold.

Taking care of your drivers

 

 

Car maintenance

Firstly, make sure drivers know how to take care of the vehicle: windscreens, checking lights and registration plates, carrying a winter kit, and how to clear snow and ice from the vehicle safely.

Skid risk

You can also help drivers learn more about managing skids in icy weather...

• A skid occurs when a vehicle’s wheels lose traction on the road and spin out of control.
• Certain manoeuvres make skidding more likely...
• Most skids are front-wheel skids...
• Skidding can be caused by water or mud as well as ice...
• Keeping tyres at the correct pressure...
• It’s easier to manage skidding...
• Skid warning signs are there for a reason...
• Starting off in a higher gear can help prevent wheel spin.
• Cars travelling on ice make almost no noise...

Managing trips

In wintry weather, there’s a big difference between driving around an urban centre and making longer journeys...

Considering driver mental health

A calm driver is a safer driver...

Taking care of your customers

Customers want to feel safe and comfortable when they’re in your taxi...

Top facts about driving in the UK in winter months

Impress your mates with these top winter driving facts.

1. On average, it snows or sleets somewhere in the UK for 23.7 days of the year...
2. Snow settles on the ground in the UK for an average of 15.6 days per year.
3. Almost half (45%) of UK drivers don’t carry out any checks...
4. Having a cold can impact your driving skills...
5. Driving too fast for weather conditions is a factor...
6. Heavy rainfall results in around 200 road deaths a year...
7. 1 in 6 motorists start their car engines...

Make sure you’re protected this winter

When you start looking for taxi insurance quotes, remember that it’s important to be sure what’s covered under the policy...

Safeguard your future with a taxi insurance quote from us today.