Winter fleet prep: a safety checklist for Canadian and northern US fleets
November is here, and for fleets in Canada and the northern US that means the riskiest stretch of the year has started. Snow, ice and short days change how trucks, vans and cars need to be prepared and driven. Here is what the numbers say, a practical checklist for getting your vehicles and drivers ready, and how GPS alerts can help you keep an eye on things all winter.
Winter is when the claims pile up
Insurer Aviva Canada calls November through March the peak of operational risk for commercial fleets in Canada. Its data shows 42% of all its insurance claims happen in those five months. In 2025, those months produced 3,001 commercial auto claims, and 86% came from collisions with another vehicle or loss of control on the road.
Aviva's risk team treats those figures as a reason to prepare, not as something fleets have to accept. Most of the fixes are simple and cheap compared with a claim.
Get the vehicles ready
Aviva says a standard pre-trip inspection isn't enough once the temperature drops. The Ontario government's winter driving guide adds its own advice. Together, they point to these steps:
- Tires. Cold weather lowers tire pressure, so check it regularly. Ontario says winter tires can shorten braking distances by as much as 25%, and all-season tires can start to lose grip at 7°C. Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, and don't mix tire types on one vehicle.
- Fuel. Ontario recommends keeping the tank at least half full to reduce moisture in the fuel system. Aviva says to keep it full so moisture doesn't freeze in the fuel lines. For diesel engines, use winter-grade fuel or anti-gel additives.
- Heat and defrost. Confirm heating and defrosting systems work before the vehicle leaves.
- Trailers. Aviva suggests inspecting trailer trusses and rafters for integrity.
- Clear all snow. Clear the roof, hood, mirrors and every light, including the top of trailers. Aviva warns snow blowing off a large trailer can create a mini-whiteout for drivers behind.
- Winter kit. Ontario lists a charged phone, water and food, a flashlight, a blanket and warm clothes, jumper cables, a shovel, traction mats or sand, and candles with a lighter or matches. Add an ice scraper and washer fluid rated to -40°C.
Drive for the conditions
- More following distance. Aviva's rule for heavy vehicles is one second for every 10 feet of length at 65 km/h, so 4 seconds for a 40-foot truck, plus a second on faster highways. In winter, add at least 1 to 2 seconds; some experts recommend 8 to 10.
- Know the stopping distance. Ontario says a tractor-trailer's braking distance is 4 to 10 times longer on ice than on dry road.
- Slow down. Many winter collisions happen because drivers are going too fast for conditions. In Ontario you can be charged with careless driving even at the speed limit, and other provinces have similar rules.
- No cruise control on wet, snowy or icy roads, and steer gently to avoid skids and jackknifes.
- Lights, not flashers. Use low beams and full lighting in snow. The OPP advises against running four-way flashers continuously while moving.
- Stay back from snowplows and never pass a working one.
- Check road conditions first. In Ontario, use 511 for road conditions and plow locations, and plan routes and truck stops before leaving.
How GPS alerts help in winter
Battery and vehicle alerts. If your tracking system reports battery voltage or vehicle faults, set alerts so a weak battery gets dealt with in the yard, not at a roadside on a cold morning.
Idle alerts. Winter brings more warm-up idling. Idle reports show which vehicles are idling far longer than needed. With diesel above $2.60 a litre in Ontario, that adds up fast; see our post on diesel prices and cutting fuel waste.
Speed and route visibility. Since speed is a factor in so many winter crashes, speed reports and live location show who is driving too fast for conditions and where every vehicle is when a storm hits. If a driver is stuck or delayed, dispatch knows exactly where to send help.
Winter fleet checklist
- Book a winter maintenance check for every vehicle.
- Fit winter tires and add tire pressure to the daily pre-trip.
- Switch to winter-grade diesel or add anti-gel treatment.
- Test batteries, heaters and defrosters.
- Stock a winter survival kit in every vehicle.
- Remind drivers to clear all snow, including trailer roofs and lights.
- Brief drivers on following distance, speed for conditions and passing plows.
- Set GPS alerts for speeding, long idling and battery or fault codes where available.
- Check weather and road reports before dispatch and plan safe stops.
- Review incidents and near-misses monthly through March.
The bottom line
Aviva's numbers show winter is when commercial claims cluster, and most of them are collisions or loss of control. Prepared vehicles, drivers who slow down and leave space, and GPS alerts that flag problems early are the best ways to get your fleet through to spring.
Sources: Aviva Canada, "Proactive winter driving advice for commercial fleets," Feb 25, 2026; Government of Ontario, "Winter driving".
Need help getting your fleet ready for winter? Call us at +1-877-271-3572.