Coping With Foul Weather When Driving on Courier Jobs

Sometimes when it comes to carrying out your courier jobs, Mother Nature can be very tricky. Courier jobs can see you driving the length and breadth of the United Kingdom in both fair weather and foul – and there is very little you can do to control it. While we would always love to drive in sunny, warmish weather it is certainly not the case. In fact, it is fair to believe that, in this country, most of the time you are on the road you will be dealing with some form of natural influence. Some of the worst weather you can encounter while driving is snow and wind – so be prepared.

Snow

Just because it is threatening to snow does not mean you can call off your courier jobs – life goes on and the weather stops for no delivery man, or woman. A job is a job, and getting it completed to spec is the only way to make a living as an owner-driver. Though snow may not provide idyllic conditions, there are ways to be safe when you do encounter it. If there is ice and snow on the roads where you must travel, consider putting on tyre chains and slowing well down to ensure you have more of that all important grip. Ensure that your vehicle has enough antifreeze under the hood and, likewise, top up on your washer fluid too. When you are heading down a slippery descent, do not let your speed build up, but keep your vehicle in a low gear and take utmost care until you reach the bottom.

Wind

While you may think a bit of wind never hurt anyone, sometimes it can be downright treacherous when driving. When you are driving near coastal areas, take extra care as the wind can often come in gusts that will leave you jerking into them and losing your control as it moves on. Another thing to consider is the type of vehicle you using for your courier jobs. A larger, taller vehicle is more likely to be affected by winds than a smaller car. Be aware that gusts may throw you off course, and others on the roads are also having the same issues as you, so keep an extra eye out for them as well. Also, make sure to pay attention to any sort of debris that may be swept into your path. This is more pertinent in wooded areas, but there is always the peril of a stray rubbish bin making a leap for it when it winds get high enough.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.