12 Trucking Tips to Drive Safer This Winter

12 Trucking Tips to Drive Safer This WinterI dont know about where you are, but here in New York, autumn has finally caught up to us. All the trees are racing to turn to yellow and red, and if this years anything like the last two, weve got some frigid temperature and blustery snowstorms to look forward to. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) Many drivers who find themselves in winter conditions forget some basicsthey dont change their driving skills or brush up on maneuvering and skid control. Make sure youre up-to-date on the preventative safety skills that could save your life or someone elses.If youre still on the road this time of year, here are some important safety suggestions from the experts at Smart-Trucking.com.1. Slow DownThe speed limit may tell you the legal max, but it cant read road conditions or understand delays in stop time the way you can. Dont let your eagerness to finish a trip make you hurry when its elend safe.2. Foll ow SafelyWhen possible, leave 1/4 mile between you and the vehicle in front of you, and try to give space to the vehicles next to you, too. Remember that if youre driving with a group, the mistake the front truck makes can impact everyone else.3. Get Out of the PackFor that reason alone, try bedrngnis to drive in the packs traffic tends to organize itself intoyour goal should be attaining the maximum distance around your vehicle.4. Dont Fixate on Tail LightsIt can be tempting to focus on the lights of the car in front of you when visibility or weather conditions get overwhelming, but if you can see them youre probably too close5. Dont Stop on the ShoulderOther cars and trucks in low visibility may not be able to figure out your truck has pulled over or even that its stopped, and they could slam into your rear axle before they knew what was happening. Try to get to a truck stop or weigh stationanywhere you can pull fully off the road.6. Dont Try to Be a HeroEven if you pride yourself on always being on schedule or arriving before your deadlines, remember that pushing yourself when the weather is inclement is not worth risking your safety. Balance the pressure you feel coming from dispatches or service rules with concern for your life and others on the road.7. Dont Jake BrakeBe especially aware of the risks of employing your jake brake and over-using your footbrake on icy and snowy roads. You may find yourself sliding and spinning out of control, especially when the trailer is empty.8. Pay Extra Attention to your Circle CheckMake sure all your systems are fully functionalyou dont want the defroster, the heater, the wipers, or the lights (particularly the brake and tail lights) to go down on you in the middle of a scary stretch of road. Make sure everything that has a level is full to capacity. If possible, have extras stored away in case you need to refill mid-drive.9. Stay Fueled UpFull fuel tanks mean extra weight on your drive tires, which helps with traction and stability. Make sure your tires have enough pressure for winter driving, as well.10. Keep Your Lights CleanWhenever you can stop, make sure to clear off your head and tail lights, particularly if youre equipped with LED lights. Make sure youre visible, so other drivers can adjust if they need.11. Pack an Emergency KitYour kit should have necessities for servicing your truck, but also the basics to help you hunker down if necessary a change of warm clothes, a bottle of water, hand-warmers, first aid kit, batteries, a flashlight, and flares. Also,consider investing in portable chargers for any electronics you carry regularly.12. Get off the RoadWhen in doubt, use your common sense and best judgment about when its time to get off the road. It may make for a great war story to power through a terrible blizzard and make your delivery dates, but I guarantee people would rather remember the time you arrived a day late, alive and well, than the horrific accident that kept you from arri ving at all. Know when to pull off the road. Remember that youll be the one ultimately held accountable for whether you drove or parked to wait it out.