Truck drivers must deliver their cargo on time and intact, no matter the weather. But that also occasionally means driving in snow, sleet, and rain. When driving in dangerous or difficult weather, it's important to know how to drive your semi-truck safely without compromising the safety of yourself or other drivers.
That’s easier said than done, but the right mindset — and some preparation — can go a long way toward keeping you safe on any journey you undertake. Truckers can ready themselves for winter driving and bad weather in any weather conditions, including icy roads, snowstorms, and more.
How Can I Stay Safe Trucking in the Snow?
Staying safe while trucking in the snow is mostly about preparation and staying calm. For example, if you know black ice or a winter storm is on the way, consider avoiding winter roads by sitting in a parking lot with your big rig.
If you don’t know where to start, try to keep these tips and strategies in mind before you head out on the road (in any weather, not just snow!).
Stock Up on Essentials
First and foremost, stock up on all the essentials you need for a safe, productive trip. Don’t leave home or your home base without winter gear, tools, etc.
For a more detailed list of what you should include in your winter essentials kit, check this article further.
Use Extra Caution
It should go without saying that you should drive with extra caution, even if it isn’t actively snowing. Driving carefully and safely is vital if the roads are snowy or icy; if your truck starts to slide or get out of control, it will take a lot more effort to get it back under control than if you were to drive a smaller vehicle.
Using extra caution means practicing things like leaving extra space around your truck. Increase your following distance behind other vehicles whenever you drive in hazardous conditions. This way, you'll give yourself extra time to react or slow down if necessary.
You should also try to remain extra mindful of the people or hazards around you if you drive in snowy weather. If, for instance, you notice water coming off the tires of the vehicle in front of you, it might indicate that the roadways are very treacherous, and hydroplaning is a possibility.
Focus on Consistent Signaling
Your signals are valuable tools to keep yourself and other drivers safe. Use them! Focus on consistent signaling whenever you change lanes or make a turn, even if you don’t normally need to.
Providing other drivers with these signals can give them extra reaction time and prevent one minor mistake from spiraling into a big accident or disaster. Don't forget to flash your hazard lights when going up or downhill in hazardous weather for even more precaution.
Take Time To Warm Up
Before hitting the road, turn your truck on and give it some time to warm up. You must let your diesel engine warm up before beginning your route — that will prevent the engine from not turning over and help it last for longer throughout the winter months, essentially reducing wear and tear on the engine.
As a bonus, giving your truck time to warm up will also give the cabin time to warm up before you have to hop in and put your fingers on the cold wheel. Turn on the defroster to let the windshield unfreeze, so you don’t have to use the scraper or any of your valuable wiper fluid.
Double Check Tires, Fluids, Lights
Speaking of fluid, you should double-check all the fluids in your vehicle, like windshield wiper fluid, coolant, etc. Do this even if you did it a few days ago. Cold weather can wreak havoc on the inner workings of any vehicle, especially big semi-trucks.
You should also double-check the quality of your tires and lights. Your tires and lights need to be in excellent working condition to drive safely in the snow, so make sure your tires are properly inflated and that your lights turn on responsively and are properly bright. If they aren't, replace them or perform maintenance before hitting the road.
Have a Plan for Skidding
Last but not least, make sure you have a plan for skidding and know what to do if it happens to you. Skidding can be dangerous, but staying calm is absolutely vital so you can recover safely.
If your vehicle starts to skid on a downward slope, follow these three steps when your vehicle is in a manual transmission:
- First, depress the clutch.
- Next, use your driver’s side mirror to direct yourself.
- Then steer and counter-steer very quickly, so you remain in front of your trailer. This will help you keep control of the vehicle and its load until you recover completely.
If you’re in an automatic transmission, put the transmission in neutral instead of depressing the clutch. Then follow the next two steps.
What Should I Include in a Winter Kit?
Before setting out on any truck driving trip, you should have your winter kit put together and stocked with all the essentials. Here’s a list of things to make sure your winter kit includes:
- Fresh warm clothing, like a few extra sweaters, socks, and long underwear. This can help keep you warm if your truck breaks down in cold weather and you have to wait for rescue. Bring some extra snow boots, scarves, hats, and gloves.
- Blankets to keep you warm if your truck engine doesn’t work.
- A first-aid kit to treat basic injuries. The first aid kit should include bandages, alcohol wipes, and similar tools.
- Food and water. A few bottles of water and some basic snacks, like crackers and peanut butter, will help keep your energy up and ensure you stay hydrated without leaving your truck’s cabin.
- Tools to manage basic repairs on your truck. If, for example, your truck breaks down, but it’s a quick fix, having the right tools on hand for the job will help you get back on the road and get your cabin heater running in no time.
- Scrapers and shovels. Scrapers can be useful for scraping ice off your cabin doors and windows, helping you drive safely. Shovels might be necessary to dig your truck out of the snow if you have to sleep in your cabin on the side of the road overnight.
- A flare gun so you can signal your location if you are stranded in a remote area.
- Tire chains to help your truck navigate icy or snowy roads with your heavy-duty commercial truck.
- Some spare fuel in case you have to run your engine to keep your cabin warm throughout the night.
- Coolant, oil, and washer fluid.
- A flashlight and spare batteries (and maybe an extra cell phone just in case).
- A CB radio if you don’t already have one in your cabin.
- Jumper cables if you need to give your engine a jump (or to help someone else in need).
- A bag of sand or salt, which you can scatter on the road in front of your tires if you need to assist your vehicle for the first few dozen meters of driving.
Conclusion
Safe driving is one of your biggest responsibilities as a truck driver. But it’s much easier to do that when you have a knowledgeable, experienced support team at your back.
That’s where RPM comes in. As a trusted carrier network that employs drivers like you around the country, we’re well-equipped and ready to help you deliver your loads on time, no matter where they happen to be or what the weather might dish out.
We're experienced in helping drivers navigate snowy weather and roads. Contact us today to see how our tech tools and network can help you get to your destination safe and sound.
Sources:
7 Winter Weather Driving Tips for Truck Drivers | ACI
What is hydroplaning? | Life Lanes
Skid Control And Accident Procedures | High Road Online CDL Training | Trucking Truth
