"When I get a call from a driver saying `-Today I was saved by Onspot´ it´s already payed off".
We all know that friction and traction are crucial to avoid sliding vehicles and spinning wheels. (To learn more, read the blog post What is traction, friction and road grip?) When driving, we have a sense of whether road friction is high or low. But is there a measure for road friction? If so, how could that be calculated since there are several different variables summing up to road friction? Let’s have a closer look at “road friction”.
We should pay special attention to bridges and overpasses when driving in temperatures around freezing point. We’ve learnt that bridges may be icy while the road isn’t, and that’s all we need to know to for safety reasons. But, giving it a second thought, how could the bridge be icy when the road isn’t? Here’s why.
The classic school bus may look similar to those on the road for decades, but major technology changes are increasing student safety. We have assembled a list of five technologies that you may not have heard about that can improve fleet performance and student wellbeing.
Every single rescue operation is about minimizing damage and ultimately saving lives, and every single driver strives to reduce response time. For the rescue driver, with his specific knowledge and experience, it’s natural to reflect upon the matter from a local perspective. But, if we look at it from a general perspective; how many operations are there actually that may have response time reduced? Let’s have a look at some numbers.
Whether driving a small go-kart or a heavy hauler, you must have traction to move forward. Actually, you can’t even walk without it. Traction is a commonly used word and many believe it’s just another word for friction. But is it really? Let’s have a closer look at friction and traction – what it is and why it’s so fundamental to safe driving.
To many, the white winter landscape is the definition of icy roads. However, due to weather and meteorology there are different reasons why roads become icy. For safe driving, it’s a good idea to know some theory behind icy roads. With proper knowledge and awareness, the driver can reduce the risk of accidents or delays due to slippery road conditions. So, let’s have a closer look at some common causes for roads to become icy.
Black ice on the road is rightly considered very dangerous when driving. Still, many drivers are not watchful enough in weather conditions where there is the risk of black ice. But, what is this black ice – and what should I know about it?
No, it’s not black
Typically, black ice is invisible. It’s a thin coating of glaze ice on the road surface. Since it’s thin and transparent, the black road surface is clearly seen through it, and that is why it’s called blackice.
But, it’s dangerous
The typically low levels of noticeable ice pellets, snow, or sleet surrounding black ice means that areas of the ice are often practically invisible to drivers. Accordingly, the driver is not prepared of the slippery road area, and there is a risk of unexpected loss of traction. This in turn may result in subsequent accident.
Black ice sometimes forms from super-cooled rain which freezes into ice and constitutes a particular risk to winter traffic because it is extremely slippery and hard to spot. The temperature may be above freezing but the road surface may still be slippery.
The road surface can be well below freezing temperature – while the vehicle thermometer suggests it is not freezing.
This is how you discover black ice
The winter season has recently arrived and it's just a few degrees below the freezing point. Strong wind along with the snow that has arrived overnight and has started piling up. It´s time to go to work and start your scheduled route throughout the city.
As soon as your day starts, habits are put in place and follow each other. From the alarm clock that rings in the morning, the daily work missions, to the evening trip back home.
Are others habits / routines present in your work day? Let's look more closely at the advantage and the inconvenience of these habits.