Autumn has arrived. From brilliant and distracting foliage to precipitation and fog, driving conditions will only get worse for the next five to six months. Preparing and refining safety best practices in anticipation of the fall and winter trucking seasons is crucial to protecting your team and your reputation. Now is the time for fleets to prepare their drivers and equipment for inclement driving conditions.
Here are 10 inclement weather driving tips for professional trucking organizations:
- Remind drivers to slow down. Most accidents are a result of driving too fast. It may be legal to drive at the speed limit but it is often too fast for inclement weather.
- Encourage your drivers to keep a safe distance around the truck. Make sure your drivers leave plenty of room between their vehicle and the one ahead and beside their truck whenever possible.
- Make it a policy that drivers don’t stop on the side of the road in low visibility situations. It can be very dangerous because other vehicles may not see the rig and could run into it accidentally.
- Do not allow your drivers to use the jake brake on icy roads. And don’t over brake when the unit isn’t in alignment because it’s too easy for your rig to spin out. This is especially critical when the trailer is empty.
- Ensure your rigs are equipped with high quality lug tires and wiper blades and that all of them are in good condition.
- Make sure all of your trucks are stocked with seasonal supplies such as deicing washer fluid and a shovel.
- Make sure your drivers conduct their pre-trip inspection circle check before they depart, paying special attention to the defroster and heater.
- Test batteries to ensure they are working properly when temperatures drop.
- Keep fuel tanks full to help with traction (extra weight over the tires.)
- Switch engine oils to a cold-weather formula when driving in cold climates.
Article courtesy of Encompass Risk Solutions