Driving on ice and snow conditions can be very dangerous and severe. All truck drivers have a difficult job, and it’s even harder when there are icy roads. And sometimes, their job only gets done under extremely hazardous conditions. This winter gave us snow and ice in most parts of the country. Everyone who dares to drive in these conditions will face drifting snow, high winds, and plummeting temperatures.
The worst part is that the snow turns into rain, and in daily temperatures, this looks fine, but through the night, the temperature is at its lowest point, and everything becomes icy. This part makes the roads hazardous.
The fact is whether you are a new CDL driver or you already have years of experience, these winter driving tips will help you get where you’re going.
General winter safeguards:
- Before going on the road check the weather news and reports.
- As always keep the seatbelt buckled, drive carefully, and expect slippery conditions.
- Keep yourself warm and bring food and water in case there are some blocked roads.
- Full carefully off the road.
- Contact the terminals when you notice roads or truck parking areas are closed.
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Additional awareness of the icy conditions:
- Watch your driving speed! Decrease your speed by at least 50%.
- Keep in mind that the stopping distance on icy roads is greater than driving in normal conditions. Increase your following distance by at least 2-3 seconds.
- Be careful with motorists who may skid when driving too fast on icy roads.
- If there is a fog, reduce your speed so that you can stop within your windows of visibility.
Finally, don’t forget about the truck itself:
- To drive save, you need a clear vision. Before hitting the road, de-ice and de-fog windshields and mirrors.
- Make a pre-trip inspection on your truck.
There’s no doubt truckers have a hard job that sometimes may be dangerous. So be safe out there, and share this article with a fellow truck driver!
