If you are a truck driver, there’s a very good chance that you will have to drive through snow at some point. This is never fun when you are behind the wheel of a big rig, as it has the potential to be very dangerous. However, when you are careful and when you remember the tips in this article, you can reduce your risk when driving in the winter.
Truck Driver Slow Your Speed
When there is snow and ice on the roads, they are very slick, and that means you don’t have the traction that you normally do. This makes it easier to slide right off the road. In addition, you have to think about stopping. If you are going at your normal speed, there’s simply no way you will be able to stop in time to avoid an accident or to take a curve. Slow down.
Maintain a Larger Following Distance As A Truck Driver
When you are a big rig truck driver, you always want to have large cushion of space between you and the vehicles in front of you. In the winter, you want to increase this distance even further because it is so much more difficult to stop, even when you slow down.
Bring Along Some Kitty Litter
If you need to have some extra traction on a slick road, you can’t beat kitty litter. It’s a good idea to have some in your vehicle, just in case. Even if you are parked on a snowy patch of ground for a few minutes, the heat from the tires can turn it to ice very quickly, even if you just went in for a cup of coffee. Having the kitty litter provides you with the bit of traction that you need to get going again.
Get Off the Road
The last tip we’ll cover is simply getting off the road. When the road conditions or the weather gets too bad, whether it is ice, snow, sleet, or rain, the best course of action is just to get off of the road. Being late is better than being in an accident. Wait until the roads are passable before you get back on the road. In addition, do not drive while you are nervous. Bad weather can make anyone nervous, even a veteran truck driver. If you have any apprehensions about getting onto the roads because of the weather, you shouldn’t drive. Talk to your dispatch about getting the delivery rebooked. Drivers who are nervous and on the road can be just as dangerous as the snow and ice.
Please pay attention to these tips and follow them when you are driving in the winter. They can help reduce your risk of an accident as a truck driver, and they can help to keep you and everyone else on the road much safer.