Safety & service
Planning Safer Winter Delivery Routes
A winter route can include a treated main road, an icy side street, and an uncleared customer walkway within the same few minutes. Success depends on recognizing those transitions before the truck or driver reaches the worst surface. For a delivery driver in Pittsburgh, snow and ice can also complicate grades, parking, and visibility around parked cars. This Sigma Continental guide covers winter preparation for both driving and the work performed after parking.
Prepare before the weather controls the route
Review the forecast, road conditions, restrictions, and known access concerns before departure. Check tires, lights, wipers, washer fluid, defrosters, and other vehicle systems using the approved inspection procedure. NHTSA also recommends preparing emergency supplies and planning for delays during winter travel. 1 Carry suitable cold-weather clothing and the equipment required by the operation.
Remove snow and ice from the vehicle using safe, approved methods, including areas where material could fall onto other road users. Clear mirrors, windows, lamps, and camera lenses. PennDOT emphasizes visibility and snow removal in its winter-driving guidance. 2 Do not climb onto an unsuitable surface or improvise a dangerous removal method to meet the departure time; obtain appropriate equipment or help.
Expect traction to change along the road
Reduce speed and increase following space before reaching slippery sections. Accelerate, steer, and brake smoothly, and avoid cruise control where snow or ice can reduce traction. PennDOT advises drivers to leave more room and adjust their behavior for winter surfaces. 2 Bridges, shaded stretches, and areas of refreezing deserve particular attention even when nearby pavement appears clear.
Approach a downhill section with a manageable speed and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s braking and transmission instructions. Do not assume that traction used to climb a hill guarantees enough grip to descend and stop. Leave snowplows substantial working room, and avoid traveling beside them. Their equipment and changing path can occupy more space than a driver initially expects. 1
Evaluate the stop as carefully as the drive
Before entering a driveway or parking area, assess whether the truck can remain secure and leave safely. Snowbanks may narrow the path, hide a curb, or block the turnaround. A location that normally permits a forward exit may no longer provide enough room. Resolve the access problem before committing the vehicle to an uncertain slope or confined area.
Once parked, inspect the path to the delivery point. Use proper footwear and entry-and-exit technique, keeping hands available for support where needed. Do not carry a package across an unsafe icy surface simply because the truck reached the address. Contact dispatch about an approved alternative, assistance, or a delay when safe access cannot be established.
Pause before conditions become unmanageable
For covered commercial operations, 49 CFR 392.14 requires reduced speed in hazardous conditions affecting visibility or traction and discontinuing operation when conditions become sufficiently dangerous. 3 A schedule does not override that requirement. Find a safe stopping location before deteriorating visibility or grip leaves few options, then communicate the situation and wait for conditions that permit safe operation.
Keep reassessing the route instead of treating departure as a decision that remains valid for the entire shift. Report the specific problem, such as an untreated grade, blocked access, or rapidly worsening visibility. That information supports better decisions for other drivers as well. A safe winter delivery plan remains adjustable from departure through the last stop and the return trip.
Sources and further reading
Review current guidance and follow the training and procedures provided for your role.
- Original Safety Articles collection
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Winter Weather Driving Tips
- PennDOT — Winter Driving
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 49 CFR 392.14 Hazardous Conditions and Extreme Caution
