6 Tips for Truckers and Winter Driving
Truck drivers have to be more alert and cautious than any ordinary commuter because risks can be significantly magnified in snowy conditions. Watching videos of semis falling off roads and slipping on the black ice can be nerve-wracking and quite alarming. But there’s no need to be worried unless you aren’t prepared for the winter months, but that’s where we can help you. It’s important to keep a few things in mind while preparing to drive each winter that may be different from your routine. Here are a few tips to keep you safe this winter and possibly prevent an accident.
Check the forecast
As the holiday season hits, you’ll want to always stay up-to-date on the forecast, knowing when you’ll expect snow and what the temperatures are going to be. If you are driving to another state, you will want to watch for all forecasts between the states you will be traveling through. Although extreme weather can’t always be avoided, there are some ways to understand the situations you’re driving in.
Check on Your Truck
Another thing you can do is routine checkups on your truck. Always make sure your liquids are topped off, your windshield wipers and lights are working, and your tires are in good shape. Old worn tires don’t stabilize as well and slip on ice easier than newer ones. So you may want to switch to winter tires if possible. You’ll also want to be sure to clear any snow and ice from the inside of your trailer. Although all of these tips might not always seem necessary, it will ensure better safety.
Stay Alert
There are a variety of signs you can watch out for to measure the conditions you’re driving in, and it’s important to stay alert for these signs. For example, if your side-mirrors start to frost or the windshield starts to get foggy faster than usual you will know it is time to start preparing for winter driving.
Avoid All Other Drivers When Possible
As truck drivers, we’re trained for many varying situations and can handle adverse conditions with safety and care; but that’s not always true for other drivers on the road. You never know what experience other drivers have and how they would react if they hit an ice patch or if a car merges into the wrong lane. Because trucks take longer to speed up and slow down, it’s essential to keep a wide berth and give yourself enough time to avoid any potential accidents caused by extreme weather conditions.
Drive at a safe/slower speed during the winter.
During the winter, there is great potential for icy/slippery conditions. This is why we highly advise against driving below the speed limit in these conditions and at a speed that you can adequately avoid or correct conditions that might cause your truck to veer off the road or in other lanes. If you are planning on going to trucking school in the winter make sure to be prepared for the conditions you will be driving in as well.
Never text and drive
As obvious as this might seem, it is also very hazardous. Even one text can mean life or death for you and multiple other drivers depending on who all is on the road with you. If you need to send an emergency text or make a distracting call, pull over to the side of the road and wait till you are finished before you get back on the road again.
Stay Prepared
Make sure you have everything you need to prepare for extreme conditions whenever they might hit. This could include having tire chains on-hand, having windshield scrapers and de-icer liquid, safety triangles, etc. Make sure you are always in good shape throughout the winter. With these simple safety tips, you will be able to focus on being more careful throughout the winter. You will also be far more likely to upload a strong safety record and increase the safety of those around you.
Thank you for reading our article on safety tips for your truck. If you are interested in driving for a small truck driving company in Utah, C.T.C Trucking is the place to go. You can call us at (801) 441-0373 or contact us online.
