4 Safety Tips for Winter Truck Driving

In New England, truck deliveries don’t stop because of winter weather. When drivers have long routes, sometimes bad weather doesn’t present itself right away. It’s important for truck drivers to know how to react in snow and icy conditions to prevent accidents on the road.

Be Prepared

Before a driver enters a vehicle, they should be up-to-date on any training and be aware of possible changes in weather during the trip. To prepare yourself for bad weather, you should also keep an extra flashlight, gloves, jumper cables, windshield scraper, and food and water in case of an emergency. Being prepared is important because not only could it help you, but it could also help another truck driver stuck in dangerous weather conditions.

Inspect the Vehicle

Pay extra attention to your vehicle inspection. Freezing temperatures pose an extra threat to vehicles, so keep that in mind while inspecting your truck. You may want to consider multiple inspections to the vehicle to ensure the winter weather conditions have not affected the vehicle.

Safe Space

Keep the 3 second rule in mind. In the case that the car in front of you stops short, having 3 seconds of distance between you allows for enough reaction time to avoid a collision. However, when driving a large truck, err on the side of caution and keep a larger following distance. This allows you to have more reaction time should something happen on the road.

Drive Slowly

Driving slowly also gives the driver more reaction time. Additionally, the risk of hydroplaning decreases at lower speeds. Even if you are an experienced truck driver and think you can handle higher speeds, it’s still best to drive slowly. Being safe on the road is just as important for you as it is for other drivers. Keeping a slower speed on highways will reduce the risk of crashes in winter weather. Braking and accelerating lightly also helps to maintain a safe speed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Rob Levine & Associates. Call us at 401-424-5213 for a free consultation and find out how our experienced truck accident attorneys can help your case.