10 Tips on Driving in Inclement Weather
This is a contributed post.
Weather conditions are crucial for truck drivers due to both safety and logistics reasons. Strong winds, frost, or fog may cause road accidents or significant delays in delivery. While it’s not always possible to avoid working on bad weather days, there are some things truckers can do to cope with adverse conditions.
Stay Informed about the Weather
Regularly view the weather forecast when planning your trip and update your information on the way. It will help you to know what to expect. Divers often use apps that offer quite accurate weather predictions for a week and send alerts to a phone in the case of weather hazards.
Inspect Your Vehicle Carefully
Checking your truck before starting your journey is always recommended, no matter the weather conditions. Yet, when you keep the weather forecast in mind, you know what to pay special attention to. Double-check tires and traction if the road may become icy. Ensure the lights are clean enough when you have to drive on foggy days, etc.
Plan Your Time Wisely
Plan extra time for your route if you expect bad weather. Negotiate it with your potential employer when seeking a job in trucking companies near me to avoid disputes or misunderstandings in the future. While fast delivery is in high demand, you should not put your safety at risk.
Stop the Truck if Needed
Diving through heavy rain, fog, or strong winds can be extremely dangerous for you and other drivers on the way. If you face problems with visibility and navigation, pull over on the roadside and wait for better weather. Don’t leave your truck until you are sure there’s no risk to your life and health.
Use Your Brakes Carefully
When you are on a slippery road, it is very important to brake and accelerate slowly and gently. Otherwise, tires can lose traction with the road, making your vehicle hard to control. If you are driving through heavy rain or on an icy road, slow and steady inputs help you to adapt better to the driving conditions.
Be Aware of the Black Ice
Black ice is almost unseen on the road, which may appear safe and dry. Yet, it’s one of the most common road hazards as it can easily lead to losing control over your truck. Black ice often forms after rain or heavy fog when the temperature is about the freezing point. You may notice an icy layer on your vehicle doors or mirrors when the risk of black ice forming on the road increases.
Be Careful Going Uphill
Going uphill is always dangerous as it limits your visibility and makes it harder to maintain speed control. Yet, it’s more risky when the road is slippery, as your tires can easily lose grip. To avoid road accidents, it’s important to be extra careful on hilly roads.
Keep the Distance
Always keep more space between your truck and other vehicles, driving in severe weather conditions. Wet roads, wind gusts, or poor visibility can make it more difficult to stop your truck or brake it.
Go Slow when Empty
Strong winds can push empty trucks, making them tip over or roll. Yet, even if the wind is not that strong, it can lead to swaying side to side or losing control over the vehicle, which can be extremely hazardous both for a trucker and other road participants.
Cancel Your Trip if the Risk Is too High
Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) ensures your legal right to cancel the trip if the weather conditions become too severe.
Conclusion
Being a truck driver means facing lots of challenges, including poor weather conditions. Some diving tips can make your driving safer and less stressful when the weather is bad. Yet, it’s important to prioritize your life and safety and be ready to cancel the trip when the conditions are too risky.
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