A couple of blog posts back, we talked about truck driver safety. The holiday season poses additional risks to all drivers on the highways. Not only does the traffic increase exponentially – there will be billions of drivers on the roads this holiday season – weather conditions and drunk drivers also pose threats. As you drive your trucking route in December, Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair would like to wish you happy holidays and suggest the following to help you stay safe on the roads.
Respect Driving Hours
Don’t drive more than 11 hours in a 24-hour period. This is not only against the law, but it also increases your risk of causing an accident. You may want to get your route done so you can head home for the holidays, but you’ll tire out and lose crucial motor skills required to keep you alert as you drive.
Keep Your Tank Full
You never know when inclement weather will hit you hard on your route so keep your fuel tank full to avoid breakdowns. In addition, a full tank weighs down your rig and helps your tire traction. Finally, water in the tank can affect the engine, and the last thing you want during the holidays is to stall.
Drive According to Winter Conditions
If all is clear and the sun is shining, you needn’t take additional safety steps during your drive. If it’s raining or snowing, slow down and drive with extreme caution. Pick a lane and stay in it, and consider where ice accumulates on the roads, such as on bridges, freeway exchange ramps, and puddles.
Avoid the Jake Brake
If you are driving in icy conditions, bear in mind your rig’s compression release engine brake uses compressed air to stop wheel motion completely. This will cause your rig to skid on the ice. To stop on icy roads, downshift and utilize the rig’s friction brakes rather than employing the Jake brake.
Stay Patient
As mentioned above, holiday roads are filled with traffic, crazy drivers, and depending on where you are in the nation, inclement weather. No matter what you do, stay calm and be patient. Yes, you are on a schedule, but forcing that schedule through aggressive driving will cause an accident. Stay calm.
Check Your Lights
Finally, before you start your route and along the way, check your lights regularly to make sure all are operational. You’ll need your headlights to see after dark, and you’ll need all the lights on your rig so people see you. If the lights get covered in snow and road grime, pull over to safety and clean them.
Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair in Eugene, OR, is a full-service semi-truck maintenance and repair shop. Call us to set up an appointment for your rig.