Winter Weather
Be Prepared for Winter Driving
Tips for Every Driver:
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Gather and review all weather information along your route and then make a plan before leaving to ensure safety.
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Reduce the truck speed by half the posted speed limit on snow and reduce the speed even more if the roads are icy.
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Increase following distance to 12-15 seconds when operating in adverse weather conditions.
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Wet roads turn to ice after sundown so travel as much as possible during daylight hours and avoid driving during early dawn or dusk.
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Stop driving if weather conditions become too dangerous (i.e., heavy snow, no visibility).
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When traveling in snow or on ice, use chains for traction. The time it takes to stop and chain up may just save your load and your life.
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Ensure the weight of the load is distributed evenly over all axles, except for the driver axle where you will slightly increase the weight.
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Bobtailing or pulling an empty trailer on slick roads increases the risk for an accident.
