Semis trucking safety tips for drivers working in winter conditions

Winter driving is difficult for everyone on the road, but it is especially challenging for truck and other oversized vehicle drivers. Prevent accidents by ensuring your vehicle is equipped properly before you begin your trip in winter weather, and make sure you have the right trucking insurance policies in place.

Radiator

• There should be proper winter coolant and no leaks.

Tires

• Winter roads provide very little traction, so be sure tires have good tread depth.

Heater, Defroster and Wiper Blades

• Make sure you will be able to keep the windshield clear in the event of a heavy snow, sleet or hail storm.

Battery

• Cold weather lowers battery power; make sure yours is in good shape.

Fifth Wheel Lubrication

• Use a winter-grade lubricant, because a summer-grade lubricant could cause steering issues in low temperatures.

Driving Tips

• If you become stuck in deep snow, do not spin your wheels. Instead, move them from side to side to push the snow away and pack it down.
• Accelerate slowly and gently to ease out of a patch of ice or snow.
• Leave a greater following distance and gear down when stopping.
• The best way to stop on ice without antilock brakes is by a rapid, light pumping of the pedal.
• During heavy storms with low visibility, take time to pull over and occasionally wipe off headlights, stoplights and taillights so that other vehicles can see you.
• Beware of low underpasses in the winter, as ice or packed snow accumulated on the road could increase your vehicle’s clearance height.
• To recover from a jackknife on ice, rely on steering rather than the accelerator or brakes.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the above semis trucking safety tips, don’t hesitate to Ask Bill!