Could this be your truck? We sure hope not! But early snowstorms, along with heavy rains in parts of the country, are resulting in many rollover crashes in which only one of the factors was bad weather. The key factor: driver error, mainly driving too fast for conditions. Often the drivers behaving badly are not ICSA members but passenger car drivers who forget how to drive in winter weather, creating safety hazards for everyone!
Chain controls are now mandatory in several states for trucks traveling over mountain passes. In addition, some restrictions are in place for some mountain roads. You can find links to weather information sources under the Resources tab. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration link also lists chain control mandates. Under FAQs in the same section, you will find winter driving tips.
Lastly, check out Safety Consultant Mike Hitchcock’s Coaching Corner for his winter driving tips. Be smart, slow down and get where you’re going safely!
No driver plans for a breakdown, but every driver should be ready for one. Mechanical issues, tire failures, or other unexpected problems can happen when you least expect it. Knowing how to safely bring your vehicle to a stop and protect yourself and others can help keep a minor inconvenience from becoming a serious incident.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.