Snow/Ice Driving
Note: It's been awhile since I have updated my blog, so here's my latest post and more will be following in the coming weeks.
Slow down, take your time, increase your following distance. DO NOT SLAM OR HIT YOUR BRAKES. Remove your foot from the fuel pedal, and gradually downshift.
If you need to brake, gently and firmly push the brake pedal and gradually slow down. Slamming on the brakes, stomping on them out of fear or riding them will only cause you to slide/skid and you most likely will have an accident and/or end up in a ditch, ravine, in the median or off on the side of the road or possibly hitting other vehicles on the road. It may also cause your commercial vehicle to jackknife.
If there’s ice under the snow and your tires are constantly slipping, pull over, turn on your hazards and shut it down till the roads are cleared and/or conditions improve. Don’t risk your CDL, your driving record or your ability to get another trucking job.
If it’s an ice storm, freezing rain/drizzle or sleet...DO NOT DRIVE and do not let any Fleet Manager or Dispatcher or Driver Manger coerce or force or talk you into driving. All you need to do is pull out “I don’t feel safe driving in these conditions” card, and they can’t make you or ask you to continue. The discussion is over at the point.
Follow that up by sending a message on your Qualcomm, “At this time, I don’t feel safe continuing to drive due to [insert inclement weather condition (sleet/ice/freezing rain/deep or heavy snow], once roads are clear and weather conditions improve, I will be glad to resume driving, if hours of service permit me to do so. No loaded trailer full of goods is or will ever be worth your life, your well being, CDL or driving record. PERIOD! (If you don't have a Qualcomm, send a text message, leave a voicemail or follow it up with an email to your immediate supervisor or Terminal Manager).
Slow down, take your time, increase your following distance. DO NOT SLAM OR HIT YOUR BRAKES. Remove your foot from the fuel pedal, and gradually downshift.
If you need to brake, gently and firmly push the brake pedal and gradually slow down. Slamming on the brakes, stomping on them out of fear or riding them will only cause you to slide/skid and you most likely will have an accident and/or end up in a ditch, ravine, in the median or off on the side of the road or possibly hitting other vehicles on the road. It may also cause your commercial vehicle to jackknife.
If there’s ice under the snow and your tires are constantly slipping, pull over, turn on your hazards and shut it down till the roads are cleared and/or conditions improve. Don’t risk your CDL, your driving record or your ability to get another trucking job.
If it’s an ice storm, freezing rain/drizzle or sleet...DO NOT DRIVE and do not let any Fleet Manager or Dispatcher or Driver Manger coerce or force or talk you into driving. All you need to do is pull out “I don’t feel safe driving in these conditions” card, and they can’t make you or ask you to continue. The discussion is over at the point.
Follow that up by sending a message on your Qualcomm, “At this time, I don’t feel safe continuing to drive due to [insert inclement weather condition (sleet/ice/freezing rain/deep or heavy snow], once roads are clear and weather conditions improve, I will be glad to resume driving, if hours of service permit me to do so. No loaded trailer full of goods is or will ever be worth your life, your well being, CDL or driving record. PERIOD! (If you don't have a Qualcomm, send a text message, leave a voicemail or follow it up with an email to your immediate supervisor or Terminal Manager).
If you are pulling a trailer, whether or empty or loaded, and you are driving TOO
SLOWLY on snow or ice, this can be just as dangerous as driving TOO FAST. If you
are driving too slowly, and you are on a road that is snow and ice packed, your
trailer rear will start dancing to the left or the right. The same is true if going too
slowly down a snow/ice packed grade. Maintain at least 20-25 mph. Any less can
cause you to lose control of your trailer, jack knife and have an accident or end up in
a ditch or the median wall.
If your trailer starts to jack knife and your tractor heads to your left, you need to steer INTO it (the same direction you’re headed) and give a little press of the fuel pedal. DO NOT PANIC or smash on the brakes. Remember, your trailer will ALWAYS FOLLOW you. Once you give it a little fuel and steer into it, the trailer will straighten out and you will regain control, then let off the fuel and allow your speed to drop back down to an acceptable level, but not too slow or it will happen again.
If you are driving on a snow-packed/icy highway and you feel your tires break traction and it heads towards the guardrail or median, let off the fuel pedal, DO NOT hit the brakes or panic. The truck SHOULD typically come back in control and you should be able to return to the lane you were previously in, provided there is no traffic near you. This happening is an indicator you are going to fast and you need to reduce speed.
If your trailer starts to jack knife and your tractor heads to your left, you need to steer INTO it (the same direction you’re headed) and give a little press of the fuel pedal. DO NOT PANIC or smash on the brakes. Remember, your trailer will ALWAYS FOLLOW you. Once you give it a little fuel and steer into it, the trailer will straighten out and you will regain control, then let off the fuel and allow your speed to drop back down to an acceptable level, but not too slow or it will happen again.
If you are driving on a snow-packed/icy highway and you feel your tires break traction and it heads towards the guardrail or median, let off the fuel pedal, DO NOT hit the brakes or panic. The truck SHOULD typically come back in control and you should be able to return to the lane you were previously in, provided there is no traffic near you. This happening is an indicator you are going to fast and you need to reduce speed.
Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska can all present very hazardous winter weather driving conditions. I highly recommend you fully fuel and top your DEF off prior to each trip. You never know when you might need to sit and idle for hours at a time because the road closes or because visibility is so bad you can't see. Also, carry a bottle of anti-gel and a bottle or two of Diesel 911 as well. These can keep your fuel from gelling up or ungel your fuel.
Happy New Year and stay safe out there drivers!
No comments:
Post a Comment