January 2016

We hope you all had a safe and joyous holiday season. We at R and D Transportation are looking forward to all the 2016 has to offer us. 

We know that January, first and foremost in our thoughts, brings weather. Snow and cold can be two very dangerous conditions for drivers. We want you to rest assured that our drivers are experienced in these conditions and will do all that is necessary to remain safe. Each January we remind our drivers about the dangers and provide them with helpful tips to get them through. We'd like to share some of that information with you as well. 

Excerpt from our January Newsletter:

• The  lights, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, and radiator are especially important for winter driving. Your Pre-Trip inspection is not only required but could potentially save your life!
• Defrosters are essential to clearing the ice and snow from your van. Don’t use your wipers to it for you. You’ll need them while you are driving and you don’t want to ruin them by trying to make them work as an ice scraper! At night, if your vehicle is capable, prop the wipers up away from the window. This will help to keep them from freezing to the windshield.
• Don’t start driving until the windows are defrosted and clean.
• Tire pressure usually lowers itself in winter and raises itself in summer. Under- inflated tires can cause a car to react slower to steering. You should check your tire pressure frequently adding enough air to keep them at recommended levels at all times.
• The keys to safely handling slippery roads are slower speeds, gentler stops and turns, and increased following distances. It is recommended that you reduce your speed to half the posted speed limit or less under heavy snow conditions. A great way to think of it...  Have you ever driven a jet ski or a boat? Drive like that. Understand that your tires are not on the ground and you are at the mercy of G-Force. All you can control is the speed in which it all happens. Make it a slow speed so there is a better chance of preventing an accident.
• Get the feel of the road by starting out slowly and testing your steering control and braking ability. Avoid spinning your tires when you start by gently pressing your gas pedal until the car starts to roll. Be extremely cautious until you are able to determine how much traction you can expect from your tires.
• Stay within the limits of your vision. Too difficult to see? Pull off the road and stop. Turn on hazard blinkers.
• Driving conditions such as snow and ice dramatically affect the braking distance of a vehicle. 
• •  Begin braking extra early. Start slowly and brake gently.
  • Avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel and gently pump the brakes.
  • Avoid locking the brakes on ice, it will cause a loss of steering and control.
  • If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of 
    the skid until you regain traction. Then straighten your vehicle.
  • If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, you may apply steady pressure to the
    brake pedal.​
• Maintain a large distance between you and the car ahead of you according to the conditions of the pavement. Many needless rear-end crashes occur because drivers forget to leave stopping space. 
• Roads are typically cooler in shady areas and on overpasses. You may encounter the all too famous “black ice.” Slow down when approaching an overpass or you see shady areas, snow and ice stick sooner and longer in shaded areas and ice may remain on bridges even though the rest of the road is clear.
• Never try to pass in blowing snow, there may be vehicles ahead you cannot see, even a snowplow.
• When a plow is coming toward you, allow plenty of room for it to pass. Also, stay back from them, they may be spreading salt!
• Be careful after any minor accident. If you don’t feel comfortable exiting your vehicle,motion to the other driver and drive to the nearest safe place to stop.
• Be prepared to turn back and seek shelter if conditions become life-threatening.
• Besides the ice scraper that is provided in your vehicle, be sure to always have 

                  appropriate winter gear with you in case you are in an accident.
                                       Jacket, gloves, warm shoes, etc. 

We hope you find some of these tips useful. As always.... Stay Safe, Stay Alive and Stay Buckled Up!

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​We have a new member of our staff.... 
Tim H. 
He comes to us with many years of experience as a mechanic. He’s also a Certified First Aid/AED Trainer for the City of Ramsey.  Other accreditation are: Champion of the Ramsey Heartsafe Program, Board member of the City of Ramsey foundation, Board Member of the MN Survivors Network. He is also Member of the Coon Rapids Heartsafe Program.

Welcome to the R and D Team Tim!

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