Interstate truck drivers work through every season. As such, they must be ready to drive through a variety of weather conditions. Whether it’s during a heavy rainstorm or on slippery snow and ice, trucking professionals must power through difficult environments to meet deadlines.
It’s clear that bad weather affects semi-truck drivers in many ways. However, different conditions present different hazards that professionals must prepare for. Learn more about what truck drivers face in their day-to-day operations and possible solutions to their problems.
High Winds
Average drivers have a difficult time driving through high winds—imagine how much more difficult it is to drive a massive vehicle in those conditions. Semi-truck drivers have an added disadvantage to driving in high winds since their trailers aren’t aerodynamic.
Rapid winds can cause large trucks to flip; tipping is dangerous for both the driver and anyone else on the road. Professionals can decrease risks by driving slowly, planning their routes based on weather reports, and paying attention to their vehicles and surroundings.
Heavy Rain
Very few people find driving through a rainstorm easy. Heavy rainfall decreases visibility and makes the roads slick. In a large vehicle that takes longer to come to a complete stop, this is a recipe for disaster.
Semi-trucks can lose control and hydroplane easily in rainy conditions. Truck drivers can reduce the likelihood of an accident by maintaining proper distance between other vehicles on the road. Driving slowly, maintaining tire health, and pre-planning will also help professionals avoid problems.
Snow and Ice
As winter approaches, learning how bad weather affects semi-truck drivers is more important than ever. Snow and ice lead to slippery roads, which makes the conditions just as dangerous as heavy rains and high winds. Not to mention, colder months present an added danger—black ice.
Black ice is difficult to see, making it nearly impossible to avoid. However, professionals can take certain precautions. Truck drivers should prepare for winter by winterizing their vehicles; this means equipping trucks with high-quality tires to increase traction, keeping air tanks warm, and inspecting brake systems.
Ideally, every drive would be on beautiful, sunny days and clear, quiet nights. However, planning for bad weather allows truck drivers to take breaks and wait for better conditions. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so have a strategy to get from point A to point B safely.
