3 winter weather safety tips for truck drivers

Truck driving during the winter months is necessary for thousands of truck drivers across the nation, especially those who work in colder states like Alaska, Wisconsin, Montana and Wyoming. If you’re driving in serious weather conditions, it requires a new set of skills for all professional truck drivers to uphold the highest standards of safety.

These new driving skills include excellent maneuvering, skid control skills and working through poor visibility. Truck drivers should follow these three winter weather safety tips:

1. Stock up on the proper supplies

In order to avoid unnecessary surprises while on the road, truck drivers must stock up on the necessary supplies to keep them safe in case of emergency. This article from the Advanced Career Institute recommends supplies like extra clothing layers, blankets, windshield fluid, jumper cables, tire chains, flashlights and more.

Be sure to stock up on your favorite snacks at your closest truck stop, but also be sure to pack nonperishable emergency food items that will stay good during a long trip. These include saltine crackers, peanut butter, granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix and more. And don’t forget to stock up on gallons of water as well.

2. Don’t follow the pack

Traffic tends to move in packs on highways and it’s easy to find yourself in the middle of the pack without a safe distance in front or behind you, increasing your risk of an accident. Take the time to slow down and find a way to get out of the pack, creating the maximum distance between yourself and the other vehicles.

Also, keep an eye on the speed limit during inclement weather. Although it may be legal to drive 65 mph doesn’t mean you should. When in doubt, slow down and save yourself the trouble!

3. Create extra traction

One of the biggest causes of accidents is losing tire traction due to hitting a patch of black ice or other unforeseen circumstance. Be sure to invest in a solid pair of snow tires before hitting the road and perform regular maintenance on your vehicle.

Another trick to help you transition from parking to driving is kitty litter. It may sound off, but keep a bag of kitty litter under your bunk to throw under your tires and get that extra bit of traction you need to depart. Plus, kitty litter is environmentally friendly!

To learn more about top-tier truck driving services in Utah and view open positions, visit Double D Distribution.