Winter Safety Tips for All Drivers
Whether you’re behind the wheel of a passenger car or a semi, you’ll face many tricky and hazardous driving conditions each winter. Low visibility, high winds, slippery roads and rim-bending potholes make driving dangerous, especially if you’re navigating around commercial vehicles.
Safe Driving Tips for Motorists
If you’ve driven your car through a Midwestern winter, you know the trouble you may face on the road.
Now, imagine steering a standard rig that’s 53 feet long and weighs up to 80,000 pounds through a snowstorm. As a motorist, you need to be mindful of the obstacles commercial drivers face on the road.
Here are winter driving tips to follow:
Avoid blind spots. Semis have four blind spots: in front of the engine, behind the trailer and on both sides of the cab. If you can’t see the driver in the truck’s side-view mirror, they can’t see you, so don’t linger in those blind spots.
Don’t cut off commercial drivers. Due to their size, semis take 40% longer to slow down than passenger vehicles. Add in slippery roads and reduced traction, and you’re headed for a possible collision involving multiple cars. Always pass trucks on the left side and allow at least two car lengths of space before merging in front of a semi.
Give them the right of way. It’s bad manners and very dangerous to pass a merging commercial vehicle. The driver might not see you – especially if you’re in the larger blind spot on their right side – and continue to change lanes. You’ll likely have to brake hard and risk getting rear-ended or drive off the road to avoid an accident.
Don’t drive between semis. Doing so sandwiches you between two vehicles with extensive blind spots. That gives you less time and space to react to braking and lane changes, especially on roads covered with snow or ice.
Avoid driving near semi axles. Winter’s freeze-thaw cycle creates potholes, which may cause tire blowouts. Commercial tires are much heavier than automotive tires and can do serious damage to your vehicle if the debris strikes it.
Commercial Drivers: Stay Alert!
As a semi driver, it’s essential to use caution and be prepared while driving through wintry conditions.
Slow down. Your safety is more important than making your delivery on time. Driving at the speed limit may be too fast for icy roadways, so don’t hesitate to drive at a slower speed, even if other drivers race past.
Use evasive driving techniques. Swerving out of the way of obstacles is safer than hard braking, especially if you’re driving on snow or ice.
Maintain a buffer zone. Be mindful of the positions of the vehicles around you, especially if they’re driving in a pack. Keep your distance and drive away from other vehicles as often as possible to give yourself room to brake and change lanes.
Pull over when necessary. If weather conditions make seeing or braking difficult, it may be time to stop. Don’t hesitate to pull your vehicle to the side of the road or into a parking lot until the worst has passed. And if you suspect the weather is too treacherous for your trip, talk to dispatch about adjusting your schedule.
Bring your vehicle to Bauer Built Tire & Service to prepare for winter driving. We offer automotive and commercial maintenance, tire repairs and emergency roadside assistance. Find a location near you to schedule service.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog
