Winter Driving Tips For New CDL Drivers

That is not an irrational fear.

Never lose your fear in this job. No fear means dead soon.

 

The calmness will come with experience. Just be aware enough to not let yourself get too calm, as in complacent.
From what I have heard the most accidents happen in a drivers first year, and then again at around the 5th or so year because they get too confident and complacent.

 

slow down. speed is your enemy.
watch your following distance.
carry a couple gallons of non freezing windsheild fluids.

 

I also suggest using Rain-X on all the windows and mirrors.
It really helps with the snow and ice buildup.

If you want to avoid the effort of applying it correctly on the windshield, which can be a real PITA with those big windshields, they have additives for the washer fluid that help. They get maybe 50-60% effectiveness of applying it by hand, but it does help a lot.
Walmart carries it.

 

I don’t know where some truck drivers come up with always be afraid.Where they even come up with all this fear advice I don’t know how they even come out of the house or let go of there mothers hand.As far as driving in the snow there’s no magic answer it’s experience other then slow down keep your distance from others and if you think it’s better to park and let the road crew clean the roads do it.Being prepared like mentioned of proper wipers keeping washer fluid top off drain your air tanks on truck and trailer every day carry a bag of oil dry or salt if you can

 

SLOW, steady, no sudden maneuvers, snow usually (not always if its atop wet ice)!gives you more traction than ice, don’t slam brakes on, use them gently. If you suspect black ice, always assume there is, eyes way way ahead because guaranteed there’ll be one freaked out driver ahead of you causing something you’ll want to have plenty of time to adjust to, constantly looking for your way out, don’t get in close with everyone else, try and keep lots of separation.

I drove in the snow in the ice for 30 years in Alaska, but it wasn’t in a semi truck, however, you kind of just developed a nose for it. Wet ice is the worst. Snow isn’t necessarily that bad, if it’s not atop ice.

 

Drive like you have an egg between your foot and the pedals. Braking is by far the most overlooked. Don't let schedules dictate your driving. It's a lot easier being late than explaining an accident. A rule of thumb us old timers held, was if you see spray coming up from the tires, probably okay, but if the spray stops, it's ice, and whatever you do, DON'T try to drive on it.Pull it off right then, and not just on the shoulder either, if you can. Someone is bound to slam into you. A ramp is still best even if illegal.