Aside from taking the proper preparation before departure and making sure the truck is in good shape, there are some other ways to handle driving in bad weather.
No matter what type of vehicle you’re operating, traveling in inclement weather can be difficult. Driving a large scale truck in bad weather? That’s a higher level of difficulty. Unfortunately, the transporting of freight never comes to a complete halt. Even if the weather’s not cooperating, things still have to get to their final destination. As a truck driver, you’ll find that driving this enormous machinery in poor conditions is challenging. Aside from taking the proper preparation before departure and making sure the truck is in good shape, there are some other ways to handle driving in bad weather.
Be Smart About It
Whether it’s heavy snow, heavy rain, sleet or fog, it’s important to understand your surroundings. At some points, the weather can become overwhelming. If this occurs, there is no harm in pulling over to the side of the road. The last thing you want is to push through a bad storm only to cause unnecessary damage. This also goes with the idea of driving slow. As a truck driver, your technique should always have safety in mind. You should never be tailgating another car, and always stay within your lane.
The team, the team, the team
When driving a freightliner, you are not the only one, as there are other professional truck drivers on the road with you. With that in mind, it’s good to understand how you can work together as a team. Whether it’s discussing the safety of road conditions, or if you’re going to make a difficult pass, it’s smart to communicate with each other when the weather makes life difficult.
Preparation Is Key
While it’s important to take the right precaution on the road, the process before your trip is equally crucial. When you receive your route, make sure to map out the safest way. If you see you might run into a storm, load up on any extra supplies you may need. It’s also imperative to give your truck a pre-trip check, to be certain that everything will run smoothly.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for All of Your Trucking Needs
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star, a new truck dealer. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+
Tags: bad weather driving tips, Freightliner, trucking safety