Winter is Coming: Safe Winter Driving Tips for Trucks

Winter is just around the corner and while the snow and ice may look beautiful, it can wreak havoc with traffic and your driving. Staying safe during winter weather patterns means making responsible driving decisions, especially when you’re behind the wheel of a larger vehicle.  Practicing safe driving techniques is always important but you should change your approach as the winter months (and weather) begin rolling in. We have pulled together some tips for winter driving to help keep you safe through the icy winter months no matter if you’re behind the wheel of a reliable Hino or your pickup.

Beware of the Black Ice

While it would be great to tell you to just watch out for black ice, we know that it’s not always possible to spot slick road conditions before you run into them and they can pop up seemingly out of nowhere. There are a few warning signs that indicate black ice is beginning to form:

When the temperature falls to around 0 degrees Celsius and there is wet precipitation, rain and sleet will begin to freeze on the highway upon impact. Watch your temperature gauge and when the outside ambient temperature begins to approach 0 degrees, know that black ice is a possibility. Also keep a look out for ice that builds up on your mirror and antenna, limited or no tire spray from the vehicles around you or frosted road signs and trees with wet looking roads. These are all indicators that black ice could be forming.

Leave a Buffer; keep your distance.

Experienced drivers know it best and have tackled winter storms like a pro. You’ve seen it all and drive your truck like a seasoned professional, but not everyone has that expertise. Keep a slower and weather appropriate pace leaving plenty of room for those around you to make mistakes. Even the best drivers have to look out for other, more unpredictable motorists and keeping a safe distance on the highway is an important part of that.

Stock an emergency kit in your vehicle.

This may seem excessive but you will be thanking us if you’re ever stuck in your truck for a long period of time. Part of being a responsible winter driver is being prepared to stop when it’s unsafe to continue. Having the following items will help keep you warm and dry if you need to pull over or become stuck in snow or traffic.

Fresh water and non-perishable food items
Dry socks, gloves and a hat.
Blanket
Salt or sand and tire chains (for traction)
Snow brush and shovel (foldable)
Jumper Cables
Flashlight
Road Flares

Pack these items in a waterproof container and leave them in your truck for the season. If you’re a fleet manager, consider supplying some of these items for your drivers in case they ever encounter bad weather.

Brake and Accelerate Slowly

Gaining traction is much more difficult when the weather turns. Make your decisions slow and deliberate to maintain full control of your vehicle. We all love our anti-lock brakes but snow and ice can sometimes cause them to lock up and throw us into a skid. If this happens release the brakes, depress your clutch (if you have one), and counter steer to regain control. Slamming on the brakes will only make things worse and being prepared for a skid can help you calmly handle the situation. There are a number of “skid schools” that will teach drivers how to handle skids first hand, this may be worth it for drivers who are new to cold weather driving or those who just want to brush up on their skills.

Keep a firm grip on the wheel

Keep your hands firmly on the wheel, especially during bad weather. Being prepared to make unexpected decisions is par for the course as far as icy conditions go so make sure you’re ready. Snow, ice and bumpy roads can make steering more challenging and require you to make more precise movements. Suddenly grabbing at the wheel could cause you to enter a skid so keep a firm grip.  

Perhaps the most important safety tip of all is trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable driving, there is a reason. Bad weather is nothing to play around with so if you feel that it’s unsafe to proceed, take a break and wait for the weather to improve. Remember all you fleet managers, let your drivers know that it’s okay to stop and wait for safer conditions. Don’t risk the safety of your employee, other drivers or your vehicles for the sake of a deadline. Even though having a safety kit is a great tip, we never want you to have to use it!

Stay safe!