The temperatures are starting to drop, which means winter is just around the corner. While there is no way to be fully prepared for everything that you may encounter on the road this winter, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Driving in snow and ice can be both frightening and dangerous. With that said, winter conditions can be a challenge to drive through, so here are a few preventative measures to take before/while hitting the road this winter…
Winter Driving Tips
#1: Be Prepared – Before you get on the road, be prepared. Check the weather, charge your phone, have a basic winter survival kit with warm clothes, blankets, a flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, an ice scraper, and more.
#2: Inspect Truck – Before getting behind the wheel, be sure to check your truck to make sure all of your equipment is weather-ready. Winterizing your truck is a great way to prevent any major issues. Inspect things like tire pressure, brakes, hoses, lines, etc. Also, gauge the fuel in your tank before starting your trip. Keep your tank half full at all times.
#3: Drive Slow – Driving slow is one of the best ways to ensure your safety especially in snowy and icy conditions. A lot of winter accidents happen because drivers aren’t being cautious enough on the slick roads. To compensate for the bad traction of winter roads, reduce your speed. Driving slow will give you more time to react if something goes wrong.
#4: Pump Brakes – Once again, drive slowly so you don’t have to suddenly brake and possibly lose control. It’s recommended to use your foot brake rather than your jake brake when driving in snowy/icy conditions. If you have to slow down on a slick road, pump your brakes lightly.
#5: Be Visible – Visibility can change in an instant in winter weather. Use your daytime headlights when you’re on the road to ensure that other drivers can see you at all times. Sometimes it becomes difficult to see signs and traffic lights as well, so be sure to double-check your path before pulling out.
#6: Leave Space – The conditions of roads are oftentimes unpredictable, so it’s better to leave room between other vehicles. According to GPS Track It, the stopping distance on a wet road is twice the normal stopping distance. And on icy roads, it’s almost 10 times.
#7: Watch for Ice – No one wants to get caught on icy roads. Black ice begins to freeze at 32 degrees, and it typically forms on bridges and overpasses first. One way to know when the wet roads turn to ice is when there is no tire spray from trucks. If there is no tire spray, then you should assume that it’s icy and take caution.
#8: Pullover – If you get stuck in bad conditions, don’t be afraid to pullover. Find a safe spot to pull off and wait out the storm. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so in this case, don’t worry about your schedule.
#9: Stay Calm – In the case of an emergency, it’s critical that you stay calm. If you can stay in your truck, that is the safest place to be and the easiest place to find you. If you’re not in immediate danger, call your dispatcher. If you’re in danger, call 911. If you have questions on how to proceed under any circumstances, please reach out and ask those questions.
Closing Thoughts
At Liquid Trucking, we feel a responsibility to lead by example when it comes to road safety, which means we prepare for any kind of weather every time we hit the road. When choosing Liquid Trucking, you can be assured that your load is in good hands. No matter the conditions, we consistently stand out as trustworthy and safe. If you are interested in having us haul for you this winter, please give us a call at 844-GO-TANKS or visit www.liquidtrucking.com.
To all the other winter drivers out there, please be careful and get home safe!