As a taxi driver, you probably spend some time thinking about what to do in case of different kinds of emergencies. As a UK taxi driver, where winter comes with low temperatures, snowfall, frost or icy roads, you’ll know how challenging it can get to drive in such conditions. This is why it’s so important that, before starting a shift, you take everything into account and plan accordingly. As a taxi driver, one of your responsibilities is transporting passengers safely from point A to point B. As a leading taxi sales specialist, we want to help you avoid any unfortunate situation during winter and give some general safety tips for driving your taxi as safely as possible this winter.
Check the Tyres
In winter, your taxi’s tyres will have to cope with tougher road conditions, so they must be in good condition. If you are not sure about the quality of your tyres, you can do a quick visual inspection to see if they have any cuts, bulges, or uneven wear. If you find any issues, get new tyres as soon as possible.
Make sure to inflate your taxi tyres to the maximum recommended pressure in cold weather. You can also use an app like SensAiry to check the pressure of your tyres and make sure they are properly inflated. This will also help you remember to keep on checking the pressure.
Read about other apps you could use as a taxi driver to stay on top of everything from traffic, miles covered to petrol prices!
Ensure Good Visibility
Bad visibility can be a real problem during the winter. It can be caused by snow on the windshield, ice forming on the windows, fog, or a combination of all these things. Misting up can be a particular challenge whenever you have a cab fare involving multiple people, in damp weather.
To avoid having a poor view , keep your windshield cleaned and defrosted, and use a scraper to clear the windows of snow and ice. You should also clear the side mirrors, roof, boot, and the rest of the vehicle. This way, you’ll avoid having any unwanted accidents ibefore you start the day on the rank or pick-up your first job from the taxi office.
Additionally, you can install a roof snow deflector to keep the roof clean and a window deflector to prevent ice from forming on your side windows. By doing all of these things, you’ll improve your visibility and reduce downtime, making sure you maximise your earnings.
Check Headlights
You can keep the headlights on throughout the day to ensure greater visibility. Be sure to check the lights frequently – just ask another cab driver on the rank to check them with you. This will make sure that all your lights, including brake lights, are fully functional.
Easy on the Brakes
To avoid skidding on icy roads, make sure that you accelerate, change gears and brake smoothly. It can take much longer to brake on ice, so remember to keep a two-second distance between your cab and the car in front. Driving smoothly can also help extend the life of your brakes and tyres, as well as reducing your fuel usage – all vital considerations for Britain’s hard-working taxi trade!
Safe Taxi Travel
These are just some general tips for driving safely in winter. Most of them involve cleaning and checking your taxi and making sure that everything is in good condition. This is very important to make sure that you and your passengers are safe during the harsh winter season.
Happy taxiing!