Winter driving presents a significant safety challenge for truck drivers for wide-reaching reasons. Among them are the fact inclement conditions affect the ability to negotiate a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle operators often do not understand a big rig cannot stop on a dime. Those are also reasons why safety-conscious truckers need to consider the weather, road conditions, and driving environment when hauling loads. The following winter driving strategies may prove useful in terms of increased awareness and safety.
Rethink Tire Management During Cold Weather Spells
It’s not uncommon for truckers to check pressures as part of their safety check while the tires are warm. This may involve coming off the road for an overnight respite or checking them before the temperature drops. While many drivers understand that changing temperatures can affect tire pressure, the decline can be greater than anticipated.
Tire pressure can drop by 1-2 percent for every 10-degree change in temperature. That means a trucker who starts a run while the sun is still shining before heading into a frigid northern location could experience a significant pressure drop. When traveling into colder weather, it may be prudent to check tire pressure during pre-trip inspections as well as when making necessary stops.
Diligently Check Chains Before Installation
Each state typically outlines the methods for installing tire chains during cold weather months. Following the proper installation guidelines helps avoid a chain-related incident while trekking through frozen mountainous roads. But it’s not unusual for stored chain products to become damaged when dropped or hard impacts occur. A weak or broken link can result in a truck tire getting pierced. That’s why it’s crucial to inspect tire chain systems before installation.
Employ A Winter Driving State of Mind
In terms of driving during inclement weather, handling stress, anxiety, and fear, are vital to successfully reaching your destination. Even the slightest panic during these heightened conditions can lead to an unwelcome outcome. The following strategies start with calm composure and clear-headedness.
- Relax: Make your driving decisions from an intellectual and natural mental space. Abrupt, anxiety-driven ones are likely to be less effective.
- Slow Your Roll: Winter driving conditions are likely to impact your travel times. Accept the fact that snow, ice, and sleet, result in delays because you need to slow down. Remember: You can drive fast, or you can get there.
- Use Your Lights: Headlights may not provide added visibility during a light snowstorm. However, they act as a beacon for other drivers and provide fair warning a heavy-duty truck is nearby.
- Observe Road Spray: The amount of spray coming off your tires provides insight into the outdoor conditions. As snow warms into slush, a greater volume of spray comes off the sides of tires. Less spray generally means it’s too cold for melting to occur or roads are freezing up. These telltale signs can help truckers make informed decisions about negotiating roads or indicate the need to find a safe place to stop.
Safety remains job one for CDL professionals and winter weather conditions make every mile a little riskier. The cost of delays pales by comparison to the risk of accident and injury should you suffer a winter weather collision or rollover.
Sources: ccjdigital.com, smart-trucking.com
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