Wind is a silent killer. We all know about the obvious dangers of ice, rain, and snow, but we often overlook wind.
In reality, wind speeds of 60 mph are enough to overturn a trailer. Plus, depending on load and the size of the trailer, winds of only 40-59 mph can be dangerous.
With hurricane season in full effect, driving in high winds could instantly turn into a disaster.
While it may be intuitive to think that a larger trailer would fare better due to its weight, increased surface area, or “sail area”, of larger trailers makes them more prone to overturning.
As a truck driver, understanding how to drive in high winds and how to practice winter driving safety is critical to your life on the road.
Use these safety tips for truck drivers to increase road safety.
Trucking Safety Tips
Driving in High Winds
Above all else, remember that your life is more important than your job.
In addition, driving in unsafe conditions can pose a threat to others on the road.
If wind conditions are so bad that you do not have complete control over the vehicle, stop and get off the road.
Truck driver safety and the road safety of others depends on your ability to make this decision effectively.
If you’re able to stay on the road with confidence, drive slowly. Because wind is invisible and unfelt by the driver, it is often ignored. Understand the danger and act accordingly.
Know what the risks are for your specific truck. Pay attention to trucking safety tips and don’t ignore signs of trouble.
The best way to proceed when driving in high winds is to simply slow down or pull over and stop when safe to do so.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations reads, ““if the conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated.”
Winter Driving Safety
With the changing seasons, severe weather becomes more likely. Here are some trucking safety tips for winter driving safety:
- Know your truck
Knowing the sail area of your truck will tell you your risk for danger. It will also help you grasp which conditions to avoid.
- Secure doors and loose items
Do a thorough pre-trip inspection before every run. Secure loose items to prevent further injury in the event of a crash or flip.
- Be prepared
Keep up with current weather reports and be prepared for unexpected pop-up storms, especially during hurricane season. Stay up to date with the latest safety tips for truck drivers with this list of trucking companies as well.
- Stay alert
Watch for signage, like windsocks, road signs, or grass that has grown horizontally. These are all good indicators of the wind conditions you may encounter. Drop your speed in response.
- Make smart decisions
When in doubt, stop. This is the golden rule of truck driver safety.
Truck Driver Safety
Take these safety tips for truck drivers seriously – your life could depend on it!
While environmental factors certainly affect road safety, ultimately, truck driver safety is dependent on you.
Make smart decisions and be prepared for any situation. Keep your truck prepared as well.
This means keeping up with routine maintenance.
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