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Driving Safety: Hazardous Weather

26 minutesENDriver & Fleet SafetyOSHA General Duty Clause; 49 CFR 392.14 (FMCSA)
Quick Answer

Driving Safety: Hazardous Weather is a 26-minute online course that trains drivers on techniques for safely operating vehicles in rain, snow, ice, fog, and high wind conditions. It is designed for fleet drivers, delivery personnel, and any employee who drives for work and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Motor vehicle crashes are consistently among the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1,146 fatal roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles in 2024. Weather-related driving conditions - including rain, ice, snow, fog, and high winds - contribute significantly to crash risk by reducing visibility, compromising vehicle traction, and increasing stopping distances. For employers with fleet operations, every weather-related crash carries costs including vehicle damage, workers' compensation claims, insurance premium increases, and potential OSHA scrutiny under the General Duty Clause.

This course goes beyond basic defensive driving to focus specifically on the unique challenges of operating a vehicle in hazardous weather. Your employees will learn how different weather conditions affect road surfaces and vehicle handling, how to properly adjust speed and following distance based on current conditions, and what to do when conditions deteriorate beyond safe driving thresholds. The training covers specific techniques for driving in ice, snow, rain, fog, and high winds, along with emergency protocols and pre-trip inspection considerations for weather readiness.

What You'll Learn

  • How rain, ice, snow, fog, and high winds affect road surfaces and vehicle handling
  • Adjusting speed, following distance, and braking technique for each weather condition
  • Recognizing and avoiding hydroplaning, black ice, and reduced-visibility hazards
  • Pre-trip vehicle inspection considerations for winter and severe weather readiness
  • Decision-making framework for when to pull over or delay travel in extreme conditions
  • Emergency procedures for skids, spinouts, and loss-of-traction situations
  • How weather conditions form and what to watch for while driving

Who Needs This Training

  • Fleet drivers and delivery personnel who operate vehicles in all weather conditions
  • Field service technicians and sales representatives who drive extensively for work
  • Construction and utility workers who commute to remote or rural jobsites in adverse weather
  • Supervisors and fleet managers responsible for making go/no-go decisions in hazardous conditions
  • Any employee who drives a company vehicle or personal vehicle for business purposes

Regulatory Background

OSHA does not have a specific standard for driving in hazardous weather, but the General Duty Clause requires employers to protect workers from recognized hazards - including unsafe driving conditions when employees drive as part of their job duties. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) impose additional requirements on commercial drivers under 49 CFR, including the authority to refuse to operate a vehicle in conditions the driver considers unsafe (49 CFR 392.14). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that weather-related crashes account for approximately 21% of all vehicle crashes annually. Motor vehicle incidents remain the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States, and employers with fleet operations face heightened liability when drivers are not trained on weather-specific driving techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA does not have a specific driving safety standard. However, the General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, which extends to driving conditions when employees operate vehicles as part of their job. If a weather-related crash occurs and the employer failed to provide training or establish safe driving policies, OSHA can cite the employer. Additionally, DOT and FMCSA regulations apply to commercial motor vehicle operations.
Yes. Under 49 CFR 392.14, commercial motor vehicle drivers are not required to operate their vehicles when conditions make it unsafe to do so. This includes snow, ice, fog, and other hazardous weather. Employers cannot retaliate against CMV drivers who exercise this right. For non-CDL employees, employers should establish clear policies giving drivers authority to delay travel when conditions are dangerous.
General guidance is to at least double the normal following distance in wet conditions and to increase it to eight to ten seconds or more on snow or ice. Stopping distances on wet pavement can increase by 50%, and on ice they can increase by ten times or more. Drivers should continuously adjust following distance based on real-time road conditions, visibility, and traffic flow.
If hydroplaning occurs, the driver should ease off the accelerator without braking abruptly, keep the steering wheel straight or steer gently in the direction of travel, and wait for the tires to regain contact with the road surface. Avoid sudden steering inputs or hard braking, which can cause the vehicle to spin. Hydroplaning is most likely at speeds above 35 mph on standing water.
This course is designed for any employee who drives for work purposes, whether in a company fleet vehicle or a personal vehicle used for business travel. The techniques for driving in hazardous weather apply regardless of the vehicle type. Employers with employees who drive personal vehicles for business (sales calls, site visits, errands) should include them in fleet safety training programs.
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$29.95
per person