Weather the winter roads with these 12 tips
(BPT) - For some, winter is a time to get cozy next to a fire, sip a mug of hot chocolate and watch the snow fall. But for those who spend their winter sitting in the driver’s seat of a rig, hauling goods all over the colder parts of the country, the snow that makes winter so beautiful can also make it downright hazardous. Icy roads, slick bridges and low visibility can create challenges for even the most seasoned road warriors. For those professionals going out to brave these tough conditions, here are 12 tips on how to stay safe.
1. Remain vigilant in managing Hours of Service.
Fewer daylight hours can wreak havoc on your body clock and compromise your ability to remain alert.2. Slow down!
With an average of 467 fatalities annually, it’s critical to reduce speed and allow plenty of space between vehicles.3. Know the bad weather stats.
Twenty-three percent of all vehicle crashes — that’s more than 1.3 million — occur in adverse weather, such as rain, sleet, snow, fog and wind.4. Minimize distractions in less than ideal driving conditions.
Wait until you’re parked to use hand-held devices. To help you stick to this rule, take advantage of features like in-motion user interface to safely interact with other members of your fleet.
5. Maintain your rig.
With snow and ice prevalent in many regions during the winter months, driving this time of year can be especially hazardous and scary, making vehicle maintenance particularly important.6. Use technology to keep you safe.
Leverage the Vehicle Inspection Report application from Omnitracs to ensure all vehicle systems are in top condition, and preempt on-road mechanical issues.7. Don’t forget to keep up on the little things.
Check battery charge and windshield wipers, keep windows clean for maximum visibility, monitor anti-freeze levels and put no-freeze fluid in the washer reserve.8. Make sure your tires have traction and can take a beating.
In one out of 11 crashes, there was an issue with a tire before the crash occurred. Don’t let this happen. Maintain tire health with Tire Pressure Monitoring and Trailer Tire Inflation Alert from Omnitracs.9. Never drive without a stash of food and water.
Dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness, confusion, sluggishness, fainting and more. Keep extra water and non-perishable food in the cab in case you find yourself stranded due to less-than-ideal weather conditions.10. Be prepared for road closures.
Plan alternate routes and allow for extra time in case of road closures.
11. Always buckle up.
Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent, so use them. It’s one of the simplest ways to increase your safety on the road.12. Even though it’s cold, the sun can still hurt.
The winter sun and glare can be deceiving so don’t forget about sun protection! Use sun screen, sun sleeves, window covers, sunglasses and protective clothing during daylight hours.
