Pack Safety Must-Haves in the Cab

Stock your truck with a variety of winter safety gear, including:

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Emergency flares and reflective triangles
• Basic vehicle repair tools and winter work gloves
• Heavy and warm clothing, emergency blankets, and hand and foot warmers
• Non-perishable food and drinking water
• First aid kit
• Anti-gelling additive for fuel.

Stay on Top of Weather Updates

Weather conditions can change rapidly. It’s safer to pull over and wait out many snow and ice storm conditions, including sight-obscuring fog banks, freezing rain, and sudden dips in temperature. However, you can only know when to stop or turn back if you use real-time weather apps. Dedicated road condition apps are also recommended. They’ll not only keep you from hitting patches of ice or snowy conditions, but many provide travel time estimations that help you build time into your schedule for delays.

Decide When to Use Snow Chains

Snow chain laws vary from state to state, with the majority allowing for their use in any conditions where snow or ice pose a traction hazard. However, some states like Oregon require them in certain conditions, and may even mandate how many chains you need to carry in the winter. In these states, you’ll often see permanent or temporary signs advising you when to use chains, but you can also use them whenever you encounter ice or snow accumulation that interferes with your driving.

Practice using your chains before snow arrives so that you’re not stuck out in the cold fumbling with them for the first time. Tire socks also increase traction and reduce the risk of damaging paved roads and surfaces at loading and unloading points in particular. Grab a bag of sand or clay cat litter to add some grit to ice as well, which could get you out of a slippery spot.

Communicate with Clients

Since you might have to adjust your route, delay your trip, or even cancel at the last minute, it’s essential to stay in contact with your dispatcher and client. Backup battery units and charging cords ensure your mobile phone is working and ready to send messages or call in when the weather shifts. Don’t underestimate your time and allow for extensive delays, especially when winter storms are in the forecast.

Deal with Traction Loss and Black-Ice Clues

Do the roads look wet? Are the temperatures outside your truck in the 30s, even if you think they’re above the freezing point at 32 degrees F? Then it’s best to assume that the roads are icy and drive accordingly.

Often called black-ice, roadway ice is hard to see because it’s thin and clear enough to only show up as a slight reflection or sparkle on the surface. Yet even a very thin layer of ice is slippery enough to lead to trouble. Drive at a reduced speed, stay off of cruise control, and brake carefully to avoid a loss of control.

Pre-Storm Checklist for Go/No-Go Calls

As a driver, you have the sole responsibility of deciding if you feel it’s safe to drive or not in winter conditions. If there’s a storm coming, consider using this checklist to make a final decision whether to go or call in. If you check more than two of the following factors, you should probably stay parked rather than risk your life.

• Projected drops into below freezing temperatures during or right after precipitation, especially at night
• Conditions that may trigger fog or mist formation, which limit visibility and increase roadway icing
• Snowfall and ice accumulation warnings, especially for overnight trips
• Routes that involve steep grades or numerous bridges
• Warnings or actual road closures along your route from the Department of Transportation, especially if there are multiple affected areas
• Part of the route has not been treated with salt or grit, or needs plowing before it is safe to pass
• High winds are occurring as part of the winter storm
• Holiday traffic has the roads crowded despite the weather, reducing the space available for you to slow down and stop
• A lack of pull-offs and rest areas along the route, limiting your options for stopping safely if the conditions suddenly worsen.

Build your skills as a trucker here at Trucker Junction. Learn more about winter driving today before the snow and ice start complicating your regular routes.