Dark Nights, Wet Roads: Staying Safe on the Road This Winter

Introduction

Each winter brings familiar challenges: darker commutes, busy roads, and poor visibility, but recent years have also seen heavier rainfall and more unpredictable weather across the UK. For couriers, van drivers, and commercial fleets, that combination of darkness and wet roads makes winter one of the toughest times to stay safe and operational. Staying prepared helps reduce risks, protect vehicles, and keep businesses running smoothly throughout the season.

Wetter, Darker, and More Unpredictable

The combination of long nights and frequent rainfall makes visibility one of the biggest risks on UK roads during winter. Headlights and streetlights reflecting on wet surfaces can make it harder to judge distance, while glare from oncoming traffic increases driver fatigue.

According to the Met Office’s guidance on driving in severe weather, winter driving conditions often include heavy rain, surface water, fog, strong winds, and reduced daylight. These factors increase braking distances and make vehicles more difficult to control, especially for high-sided vans and commercial vehicles. The Met Office advises allowing extra time for journeys, slowing down in poor visibility, and ensuring vehicles are properly maintained before setting out. Meanwhile, analysis from Simpson Millar Solicitors found that November is typically the most accident-prone month on UK roads, coinciding with darker evenings and busier travel periods. The AA also reports a noticeable rise in collisions shortly after the clocks go back, as drivers adjust to low-light conditions. These darker evenings, combined with heavy rainfall and glare from headlights, continue to create challenging conditions for all drivers.

Potholes, surface water, and strong winds can also be particularly dangerous. Rain often hides the depth of road damage, while gusty winds can push vehicles off course or make handling harder for larger vans and trucks. Drivers may find it difficult to judge whether they are approaching a shallow puddle or a deep hole, and hitting a pothole at speed can cause tyre, wheel, or suspension damage. In the dark, there’s little time to react.

Preparing Vehicles for Wet-Weather Driving

A few regular checks can make a big difference when road conditions worsen:

• Tyres: Keep tread depth above the legal minimum (ideally 3 mm) for better grip and water clearance.

• Lights and wipers: Clean and test regularly to maintain clear vision.

• Brakes: Check for even, responsive braking performance.

• Fluids: Top up screen wash and antifreeze, and check battery health.

• Emergency kit: Keep a torch, hi-vis vest, first aid kit, and mobile charger in every vehicle.

For fleet operators, you may want to include these checks into routine maintenance schedules and encourage drivers to report any defects early.

Driving Safely in Wet and Low-Light Conditions

Bad weather demands small adjustments that make a big difference. It may sound like common sense, but it’s valuable because these simple actions really reduce risk in winter conditions.

• Slow down and increase stopping distance - braking on wet roads takes longer.

• Avoid harsh acceleration or sharp steering.

• Use dipped headlights, not full beam, in rain or fog.

• Take breaks to combat fatigue, especially during longer evening shifts.

• Check traffic updates and weather alerts before setting out.

• On rural or unlit roads, stay alert for potholes or standing water that can cause sudden jolts or loss of control.

If your vehicle does hit a pothole, pull over safely and check for damage before continuing.

Managing Business Risks

For small businesses and independent drivers, even a minor incident can disrupt operations. Planning ahead reduces the chance of delays and claims:

• Create and maintain a simple road safety policy that sets out how drivers should prepare and respond to help drivers stay safe, manage risks, and follow consistent procedures all year round.

• Keep records of vehicle checks and driver briefings.

• Make sure temporary or subcontracted drivers are insured correctly.

• Build in extra travel time during poor weather periods.

• Communicate clearly with customers if delays are unavoidable - it helps protect your reputation and reduce stress on drivers.

Few Businesses Are Fully Prepared. A 2025 survey by IAM RoadSmart found that around 80% of UK business fleets still have no formal road safety policy, and almost half do not carry out regular vehicle safety checks (source). That means many operators are entering winter without a clear plan for managing bad weather or vehicle maintenance.

How Insurance Can Help Protect Your Business This Winter

Dark, wet conditions mean more chance of minor accidents, vehicle damage, and unexpected downtime. Having the right cover in place ensures your business stays protected when things go wrong.

• Motor Insurance: Covers damage from collisions, potholes, or roadside incidents - essential for couriers and fleet operators.

• Goods in Transit/Freight Operator’s Liability: Covers loss or damage to customers’ or your own goods while in your care, custody, or control - vital for couriers, hauliers, and media professionals.

• Breakdown and Courtesy Vehicle Options: Help you stay operational while repairs are carried out.

• Public Liability and Employers’ Liability: Protect your business if an accident affects another person or their property.

• Personal Accident Cover: Provides financial support if a driver is injured and unable to work.

The Cost of Winter Incidents Is Rising. While insurance premiums are typically set annually, the cost of operating a vehicle fleet can fluctuate throughout the year. During winter, businesses often face higher running expenses, from increased wear on tyres and brakes to more frequent weather-related repairs and longer downtime after incidents. Over time, these additional costs can influence overall insurance pricing trends.

According to industry data, average van insurance premiums rose by 35.9% in 2023 (steepest increase in six years - source), followed by a further 24.2% rise by mid-2024 (source) before premiums began to ease slightly in early 2025 (source). Rising maintenance and repair bills have played a major part, with more frequent weather-related damage and breakdowns as one of its main contributors.

By managing risks and minimising claims, businesses can control both day-to-day running costs and long-term insurance expenses. For small transport businesses managing tight margins, avoiding preventable claims can directly reduce insurance costs over time - for example, fewer accidents mean fewer repair costs and less chance of premiums rising at renewal.

Ratcliffes can review your existing cover and help identify gaps or upgrades suited to your operations, whether you run vans, couriers, or heavy goods vehicles, ensuring you have the right protection through the winter months.

Get in touch with our team today for a free policy review or to discuss how we can help keep your business covered this winter.

Conclusion

Modern UK winters bring darker evenings, wetter roads, and unpredictable weather. But with careful preparation, sensible driving, and the right insurance in place, couriers, van drivers, and fleet operators can stay safe, limit downtime, and keep their businesses moving - rain or shine.