Winter isn’t coming - it’s already here. At least, it feels that way for most of the United States right now. Here are a few winter trucking tips to help you stay warm and safe over the next few months.
Winter Trucking Tip #1: Be Prepared
There’s a reason why the Boy Scouts’ motto has been “be prepared” for so long. It doesn’t take a large time or financial investment to be prepared for trucking during the winter, but the dividends are huge.
Make sure you have the types of things to keep you safe if you get stuck outside in the cold weather. Here’s a good place to start:
Hat
Gloves
Coat
Windshield scraper
Food and water
Warm blanket
Jumper cables
Tire chains and/or traction mats
It’s also a good idea to keep your gas tank fairly full. You don’t want to get stuck in bad traffic somewhere and run out of gas because you weren’t well-stocked.
Hopefully, you never need some of these things, but you never know what problems may arise in a snowstorm so it’s best to be over-prepared.
Winter Truck Tip #2: Drive Even More Carefully than Normal
I know this one seems like common sense. The problem is that common sense isn’t all that common! A lot of people seem to drive the same way all the time, regardless of road conditions. Those are the people you need to worry about.
That’s right - you aren’t driving slower and more carefully because of your driving skills. Experienced truckers know they need to be cautious and watch out for the other drivers on the road.
Interested in learning more about bad driving habits to avoid? Click here.
Winter Trucking Tip #3: Don’t Be Afraid to Get Off the Road for a Bit
We get it. You have a tight deadline and your boss or customers may not really want any “excuses.” They think you need to make the delivery, regardless of whether or not the roads were safe the whole way, but there has to be a balance.
As a trucker, you are controlling a huge vehicle that, if an accident occurs, can easily injure or kill a lot of people. If you get caught in a snowstorm and you can’t see more than a few feet in front of you, get off the road. Likewise, if your shortest route is through icy mountain roads but you have an alternative route that takes a flatter path, it might make sense to change your route.
Driving in the rainy weather? Here are some tips for driving safely during the rainy season.
Winter Driving Tip #4: Inspect Your Vehicle Thoroughly - Especially Tires
You’re probably already inspecting your vehicle on a regular basis, which is great, but it’s especially important in the winter since you don’t want to get caught out in the cold with a busted truck.
Arguably the most important thing to inspect before each trip is your tires. If your tires are too worn, you are putting yourself and other people on the road at risk. Even cautious driving can only go so far if your rig isn’t well-maintained.
The best tip for winter trucking comes down to two things: be careful and plan ahead. As long as you follow these simple rules, you will be fine and cruising down the road in nice, warm weather again very soon.
Have any questions about winter driving? Click here to contact us.
Courtesy of Cuselleration