How To Avoid Weather Accidents While Trucking

Weather accidents happen all the time in adverse conditions such as sleet, snow, rain, fog, high winds or on slick pavement. Just like all vehicles should, there are certain checks that must be done before departure. This includes checks for tire pressure, wiper blades, wiper fluid, and gas or diesel fuel level.

Although weather accidents can happen to anyone, trucks are more susceptible than other vehicles since they outweigh passenger vehicles. Not only are they more likely to get into a crash due to their capacity, the driver of the truck is just at as much risk due to more force absorbed by the body leading to more serious injuries. For this reason, I have created a check list for you of things to keep in mind in order to avoid weather accidents while trucking.

The first step to avoid weather accidents while trucking is to not only prepare the truck, but also prepare yourself for the road journey ahead. Along with making sure all the basic needs of the truck are met, go over your plan for which routes you will take.

Trucks sometimes require alternate routes from passenger vehicles, therefore, planning the entrances, exits, rest areas, bridges, trestle clearances is very important. This is especially important when bad weather strikes and you must prioritize the road in front of you more than anything else.

Preparing yourself for what is to come will prevent you from being put under pressure when the harsh weather strikes. You can plan ahead by downloading a weather app and staying up to date with the weather and road conditions. Click here to find the best weather apps for truckers. An updated GPS will also be helpful in these situations to inform you on the best routes to take depending on the given circumstances.

Next, in order to avoid weather accidents while trucking, keep your distance. You may have heard this many times when receiving your drivers license but it cannot be expressed enough. Leave plenty of space between the vehicle you are driving and the vehicle front of you.

Maintaining distance is crucial for all drivers, however, it is necessary to keep in mind that with a truck there needs to be double the distance than you would have with a passenger vehicle. This distance should be increased by a following distance 8 to 10 seconds longer when weather conditions are harsh.

Just like maintaining distance, to avoid weather accidents while trucking you must be cautious when merging lanes. A typical reason for trucking accidents is from passing and switching lanes without enough caution. Commercial trucks have large blind spots, so be sure to turn your head left and right to make sure no one is actually there. It may be hard to see if rain, snow, or fog is in the way so think twice prior to merging.

Not only is it your responsibility to be a cautious driver and respect those around you, you must also be aware of those around you. Sometimes someone is not being attentive and tries to cut you off or speed around you. Even in these cases it is your responsibility to stay alert.

Lastly, to avoid weather accidents while trucking, you have to be patient. This phrase has been used many times in different contexts and has just as much of a right to be here as well. Be patient with the weather, the traffic, your own truck and most importantly yourself. Accidents happen. The only thing you can do is do everything you can to prevent it.

This can be done by following this checklist provided before you hit the road with uncertain weather approaching. Always use extra caution while driving in poor weather. If the weather conditions prevent you from seeing what is in front of you, or if you are feeling too anxious to drive, pull over! It is better to be safe than sorry in this situation and wait it out.