Winter season

Winter season: In this article, we want to share with you some good to know tips before winter is fully established throughout the country.  We will share our experience with you on how to interact with the following situations during the winter.
1) Safety in the winter season.
2) Difficult conditions on the road.
3) Tips about how to behave yourself on the slippery road and what you should focus your attention on.
4) Service and maintenance in the cold season (Tires, filters, brakes etc.).

 Safety in the winter season.

Please check out these tips to know about safety in the winter season:
1)Wear proper Footgear.
2)Take smaller steps when walking.
3)Walk slowly and never run on icy ground.
4)Keep both hands free for balance rather than in your pockets.
5)Keep your eyes on where you are going.
6)Plan ahead; give yourself sufficient time and plan your route.
7)Make sure you don't have ice on your handrails and hand grab rails before you are using it. Always use gloves for a better grip.
8)Always use 3-points of contact when you enter or exit your tractor or trailer, or when you are getting on the cat-walk behind the cab.
9)Always clean your truck and trailer from snow and ice. While driving it can drop on the road and cause damage to the around stuff (We had a claim where a car was damaged because of the ice that fell off one of our truck's trailer).

Slip, Trip, and Fall, injuries are the most frequent for drivers during the winter months. Every winter a lot of drivers get injured because of winter weather conditions due to not paying enough attention. Working in such difficult conditions requires our full attention and awareness of the slippery surface.  

Clean Snow and Ice From Your Truck!

Driving with snow and ice on your vehicle is dangerous and could be illegal.

We’ve all seen “that driver”. You know, the one driving down the road with a foot of snow piled up on top of his vehicle. The one where the snow blowing off his roof has completely ruined your visibility as well as all the other drivers around you. Aside from being inconsiderate, here are some other reasons why drivers should completely clean snow and ice off their vehicles before they hit the road:

• Snow or ice could fall onto your windshield blocking your visibility.
• Snow or ice could fly off your vehicle, blocking another driver’s visibility.
• Hitting a pedestrian, another driver, and/or another vehicle causing damage, injury, or even death.
• Creating obstructions on the road.
• Some states and localities have laws making it illegal to drive with snow or ice accumulations on vehicles that may come with steep fines and penalties. Even if there is no specific law relating to snow or ice, you could be cited for not clearing snow and ice under another unsafe driving offense like distracted driving or driving with an obstructed view.

Don’t ever take off in a truck with snow or ice on top!!!
That could create a safety hazard for you or anyone else.

If the customer whose vehicle was scheduled for you to take out, did not remove the snow and ice from them and you can't safely remove the snow and ice, (Never walk on top of the reefer or driven to remove the snow, there is VERY THIN aluminum sheeting on top). And if at the site there are no snow and ice removal devices, snow removal tools, advise the customer that you can’t proceed unless the snow can be cleared.

Please remind yourself that winter driving always requires additional space around your vehicle.

Even the most experienced truckers can have a hard time managing the icy roads, poor visibility coupled with reduced traction makes the job of a big rig driver extremely challenging. However, by implementing preventive safety skills for driving in icy conditions, you can drive through the winter season without any major problems.
Here are 10 winter driving tips for truck drivers that can help you stay safe this winter.
1) Inspect your vehicle.
Prepare your truck  for winter is essential to prevent any major problems. Always check the tire pressure, engine oil, and antifreeze levels before you hit the road. You can also have a mechanic inspect your vehicle to make sure it’s ready for the harsh season.
2) Slow down.
Most accidents occur because drivers don’t adjust their speed according to the road conditions. While driving on a snow-covered road, you may need to compensate for the poor traction by reducing your speed. Moreover, going slow will also give you more time to react if anything goes wrong. So, be extra-easy with your accelerator this winter.
3) Give Yourself some extra space.
Do you know that the stopping distance on a wet road is twice bigger as the normal stopping distance? And on icy roads, it’s almost 10 times bigger as the normal stopping distance!
So, leave plenty of room between your truck and the vehicle you follow, making this way sure you get enough space to move out in case of unpredictable situations.

4) Stay smooth. In cold weather, try hard to avoid doing anything sudden – sudden braking, sudden acceleration, cornering, etc. If the situation demands you to slow down suddenly on a slick road, pump your brakes lightly. The key is to maintain a consistent speed and avoid doing anything that reduces traction on slippery roads.
5) Check twice.
If visibility is compromised in a whiteout blizzard, it can be difficult to see traffic lights and signs. Make sure you look twice before proceeding through an intersection or turning down a one-way street. These winter driving safety tips might appear quite simple, but the rules will only work if you follow them carefully. Ultimately, it’s up to you to exercise your judgment and stay safe out while driving on the road. 🔙Blog Page