Today December 21st is the first official day of winter and you know what that means? Colder weather. With colder weather comes hazardous driving conditions. Some parts of the country have already had their fair share of winter weather this year and for others, it’s just the beginning. Some parts of the country are also more used to snow and ice than others. Whether you have been trucking during the winter or if this is your first time, below you will find some helpful trucking tips for winter weather travel.
Check Your Truck
Before you depart on your trip you need to check your truck whether or not you are expecting to encounter winter weather. It is always best to be prepared. Make sure your tire pressure is good. Check that your headlights and tail lights are clean and in working condition. Make sure that your truck heater and defroster are operational. It is important that your wipers, lights, and brakes are working properly too. Fueling up beforehand is also essential. It might take a while to get assistance if an accident occurs or if you break down so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Proper Supplies
Driving in winter weather conditions means that you will need to pack the proper supplies needed for your trips. Make sure that you pack extra clothing layers and winter weather gear, gloves, flashlights, a bag of sand or salt for tire traction, snow scrapers and brushes, blankets, tire chains, and jumper cables.
Travel at Safe Speeds and Distances
When you travel slower it gives you a long time to react if there are vehicles braking up ahead or animals crossing the road and you need to hit the brakes to avoid hydroplaning and causing accidents. Another way to prevent this is to keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you and constantly be aware of your surroundings. If you are on a bridge especially, keep in mind that there might be ice on the road so keep your speed down and make sure to keep extra distance from vehicles.
Stay Parked
If winter conditions are especially severe, it is okay to stay parked and let your dispatcher know. The delivery can be rescheduled. It is better to be safe than sorry. If a driver is nervous it puts them on edge and which can be very dangerous in hazardous conditions.
Warm Up Windshields
If you are about to depart and your windshield is frozen, make sure to defrost it before setting off. It is important to have visibility in already low visibility conditions. Keep ice off your windshield by warming it up so that you can keep your eyes on the road when driving in wintry conditions.
Stay Safe
Here at ExpressTruckTax, we want to make sure that you are driving safely during these winter months. Follow the above tips so that you can stay safe on the road during the winter months. Have a Happy Holiday and safe travels from the ExpressTruckTax team!
