Trucking Safely in Dangerous Winter Weather Conditions
Any combination of snow, ice, rain, fog, and high winds can happen at any time during the winter and they can create some pretty dangerous road conditions.
As a trucker, you will likely be driving in all kinds of weather conditions. There are a variety of different climates within the boundaries of the continental U.S. This time of year especially, you will need to be on the lookout for winter weather and all that brings. Any combination of snow, ice, rain, fog, and high winds can happen at any time during the winter and they can create some pretty dangerous road conditions.
Keep an Eye on the Sky (and the Weather Forecast)
One of the things that will help you the most whether you’re a brand new trucker or a seasoned pro is planning. An important part of planning for your upcoming journey is checking the weather forecasts for everywhere you’ll be driving. If it’s just a local job, you’ll only have the one but for a long haul across three states, you will want to know what weather conditions you’re driving into. Going north tends to get colder, and the further south you go the warmer it is likely to be. Be on the lookout for any precipitation, fog, or wind in the forecast especially.
Lower Your Speed
When conditions get bad, or if you feel uncomfortable, pull back and slow down. Because of the ice and moisture on the roads in the winter, you should keep more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you as a general rule this time of year. If you find yourself in a situation where there are high winds and/ or reduced visibility, it is usually safer to just slow down. The other drivers may not appreciate it, but safety is your number one priority.
How Much Weight are Your Carrying and Is It Balanced?
It’s always good to know how much weight you’re hauling, whether you’re using a trailer or a flatbed. This becomes much more important when there are high winds, snow, rain, ice, and fog involved. An empty trailer traveling at 55-60 mph down the highway in 50 mph winds is basically a sail like you’d find on a sailboat. This becomes even more dangerous when you’re on a bridge or if there’s any sort of water or ice on the road. The risk of jackknife skyrockets this time of year. Know how much weight you’re hauling and make sure it’s properly balanced.
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