As it starts to get cooler and winter rears it’s icy head, America’s endless highways are about to get more slippery.

For truck drivers, the supply chain never stops and deliveries must be made, even when the weather conditions are less than favorable. With long hours spent behind the wheel, safety is paramount, especially when winter challenges the norm by making roads more hazardous.

As you gear up for the holidays and trucking in the winter, it’s important to stay vigilant! These safety tips can help you stay prepared.

Inspect your truck before heading out

Your truck is your faithful steed when you're collecting miles, which means that regular maintenance is essential to keep it in proper working order.

This is especially important during the wintertime, when roads are slick and snowfall is thick. Inspect your truck before each job, paying attention to the tires, brakes, engine oil and antifreeze levels.

Ensure that you have roadside assistance in case of a breakdown, and stock up on the necessary supplies, like traction devices, matches, a shovel, a flashlight and a bag of sand.

Make the safe choice

When deadlines get tight it can be easy to sacrifice personal comfort in order to get a load delivered on time. For truck drivers, safety needs to be put at the forefront, especially when it comes to weather. 

If the snow is falling hard and visibility becomes difficult, don’t try to tough it out- pull over and wait for the sky to let up. 

Adjust your driving habits

Since the roads are slippery during wintertime due to ice, rain or snow, take care to adjust how you drive to be as defensive as possible.

• Slow down: Since traction is compromised on snowy roads, let your foot off the accelerator and adjust your speed to match the road conditions. Not only does this help tire traction, but you are able to make responsive decisions in case of an accident.

• Distance: On a normal day, it’s recommended to keep 2x the stopping distance between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. For icy roads, you need 10x the stopping distance in order to react soundly in unpredictable situations.

• Easy does it: Everything needs to be smooth when you’re driving on icy roads. Try to avoid sudden movements as much as possible, especially when braking. Instead of stomping on the brakes, gently pump them for a gradual transition.

• Watch the spray: By observing the tire spray of other vehicles on the road, you can adjust your driving to suit the road conditions. If there is a lot of tire spray, that means the roads are wet. If there is little spray, that means they are icing over and you need to proceed with more caution.

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True Carriers Group is a non-asset based group of carriers that has been helping drive America’s supply chain for over 40 years. We offer a full range of logistics services, including Intermodal, Reefer, Van, Flatbed, Brokerage, LTL and Heavy Haul.