8 Essential Winter Driving Tips for Truck Drivers
Posted Wednesday, Feb 08, 2023
Trucking in winter can be extremely dangerous, and demands a specific set of skills to be able to safely reach your destination. As we head into the midst of a gray and cold winter, it’s important to continue protecting fleet operations when driving in adverse weather conditions. Even when the holiday season is over, the short, cold days will continue.
To help you stay safe on the roads this winter, we prepared 8 trucking safety tips:
- Be prepared for every situation: It’s important to check that you have the right equipment before you start your journey, especially during the harsh winter months. Make sure you are ready for every possible situation and be sure to check that you have the following items to hand:
- De-icer and ice scraper – front and rear windscreens must be clear of snow and ice before you set off
- A shovel and a bag of sand or salt – minor roads don’t tend to be gritted and it’s quite easy to get stuck
- Jump cables - just in case your truck (or someone else’s) won’t start
- A flashlight
- A high-visibility jacket
- A warm blanket, and extra warm clothes – it’s always worth carrying extra clothes in case you get stranded
- Food and water – just in case you get stuck and are awaiting recovery or help up in heavy traffic
- At least half a tank of gas always – journeys make take longer than planned or you may need to find alternative routes
- Inspect your truck: When it comes to vehicle inspections, you may need to slightly alter your regular checks during winter months. Importantly, you should check your:
- Tires – wear, pressure and balance
- Battery – power and charging system
- Wiper blades – working and free from snow and ice
- Fluid levels – topped up
- Lights – fully functional
- Exhaust pipe – ensure it’s clear of snow
- Defrosters – ensure they are functional
- Check the conditions: Keep up-to-date with weather information before you set off and remain aware of changing conditions and closed routes via GPS systems, radio or be regularly calling into base. This is where telematics can be a great help in knowing where drivers are, the routes that they are taking and the opportunities to find alternative, safer routes.
- Drive carefully: Sudden, sharp movements can cause you to lose control – hard acceleration and braking decreases traction. Keep to a steady, consistent speed and go easy on the brakes. Hold the distance between you and the vehicle in front to retain a comfortable braking distance in icy conditions.
- Slow down: Most accidents occur because drivers are travelling too fast. This is especially dangerous for truck drivers as it takes much longer to bring the vehicle to a halt if there is an obstruction or incident in the road ahead. It’s much harder to control or stop on a road that is covered in snow! Remember that the speed signs are intended for dry roads and good weather conditions!
- Allow extra space: Increase your stopping distance to allow time to react to the vehicles in front of you in bad weather or poor road conditions. In such conditions allow ten times the normal stopping distance. Remember, trucks need more time to stop than cars do.
- Use your turn signals: Truckers have a rule of thumb when changing lane; for every road condition. For winter trucking, use four or five blinks and then move over slowly into the next lane. Don’t feel the need to match the speed of the drivers around you. If you’re cautious of your truck on the winter roads, hold your speed and use your hazard lights – this tells other road users that you are going slower than they are.
- Be mindful of hazards: Trucking in winter can be seen as a hazard in itself, but there are two particular hazards you should watch out for:
- Black ice: In close to freezing temperatures, look out for clues that black ice may be on the roads. Black ice presents itself as a thin layer of transparent ice that often makes the road look slightly wet.
- Fog: In heavy, thick fog that limits visibility, use your lights and slow down. Even if vehicles are travelling faster that you are comfortable with. Use your wipers and demisters to keep windscreens as clear as possible.
- Heavy rain: If you’re struggling to see the road ahead due to heavy rain, then it’s advisable to slow down. Keep a good distance between you and the vehicles in front and beware of aquaplaning when tyres lose traction due to water on the road. If your vehicle does start aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel straight, gently ease off the gas and avoid hitting the brakes until you regain control.
- Bridges: Elevated structures usually freeze first and are not always treated with salt/sand to melt the snow or ice. During the winter months, be sure to approach these areas carefully, to avoid losing control.
- Be careful when entering and leaving your truck: This may seem like an obvious point, but it’s common for truck drivers to fall and injure themselves by underestimating just how slippery their vehicle’s steps are. Take your time and wear boots with a good grip to reduce your chance of slipping and injury.
- Know when to stop: There’s a good time and a bad time to stop driving. When winter conditions become so treacherous that driving no longer becomes possible, find a place to stop. wherever possible, do not stop on the hard shoulder as this will dramatically increase your chances of being hit. Instead, drive carefully to a gas station or any 24-hour establishment and wait until visibility increases.
Source: Chevin
