Winter has officially arrived, bringing with it shorter days, more cloudy skies, and, for some, snowfall that will cover our houses, roads, and cities. Although it is a beautiful sight, the harsher weather may be difficult to drive in on the roads. Winter appears to be a season when we all need to drive with additional caution, particularly commercial truck drivers, whether because of poor traction and visibility, a mistake made by another driver, or anything in between.
The correct measures to take while operating a semi in the snow, the ideal way to position oneself when operating a truck on ice, and other crucial driving advice for truckers in winter conditions are all topics covered by Truck Driver Academy. But we also wanted to provide you with some advice on truck driver safety precautions for winter driving, and we wish you success on the icy roads!
Driving Semi In Snow
Driving a semi-truck in the snow may be quite hectic and unpleasant. A truck may have slower response times on icy, wet, or snowy roads, making it more difficult to brake quickly. The ability to see well during a storm has obstacles, and the roadways might be slick. So, how can you drive a truck safely in the snow and ice?
You must pay close attention to your surroundings and your car’s position for other items. This extends beyond traffic signals and other vehicles to people and buildings, which may encounter difficulties because of inclement weather. As a general rule, remember that the wet road might reduce tyre grip while operating a semi-truck on snowy or icy surfaces. To allow yourself more time to stop, slow down as soon as you see a bunch of red brake lights flashing in front of you. Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicles in front of and around you is another excellent safe winter driving advice for truckers. This will give you more time to reduce speed, make any necessary turns, or halt. If you should slide, the additional room will unavoidably assist you in avoiding striking others, and others help prevent hitting you.
Important Winter Weather Driving Tips For Truckers
In inclement weather, all moving vehicles are advised to limit their speed by 10 to 15 miles per hour. In addition, even if you may be moving slowly, try to keep your speed steady and steady, avoiding any abrupt brakes, rapid twists, or abrupt acceleration. At all times, you should have full control over your car.
Getting a vehicle check before it becomes colder is probably one of our pieces of advice for truck drivers on how to drive in the winter. Ensure everything in your automobile functions, from the lights and tyres pressure to the wipers and oil level. To avoid being stuck in the event of a roadside emergency when you do not have time to go to a gas station, it is wise to maintain your gas tank at or above a quarter of its capacity at all times.
In light of this, having a few safety precautionary things in your vehicle may help you feel safer and more at ease in the event of a breakdown. Some examples include additional food and drink, a warm blanket, a functional phone, and even a few flares. Being over-prepared is preferable to be under-prepared.
In the end, if you are confused about responding to a dangerous road situation, trust your judgement and take the appropriate and safe action. Your intuition will likely be the safest option if you have the necessary instruction from a CDL course.