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Getting Prepared
At each change of season the professional driver must adjust to the different driving conditions. The weather elements in the winter require driving adjustments as well as preparation for possible adverse situations. Preparation may include dressing for any extreme conditions that might develop during the trip and having extra clothing or blankets available in the event of a break down. It is wise to carry a shovel and some survival rations in case you become stuck on the road. Allow more time to complete your trip during bad weather.
Traction May Be Reduced!
The experienced driver recognizes that stopping distances increase when traction is reduced due to snow and ice on the highway. Loss of traction is also affected by temperature. The stopping distance at 30 mph on a dry surface is approximately 148 feet, or one-half of a football field. Stopping distance at 30 mph on snow and ice can be 533 feet, or almost two football fields! Stopping distances on snow and ice increases from 375 feet on dry pavement to 1,350 feet on snow and ice at 50 mph. When severe driving conditions are encountered, the skilled driver slows down and increases his following distance from the vehicle ahead of him. The braking system on a commercial vehicle is designed to stop the vehicle or combination when loaded. Stopping distance is increased for an empty or lightly-loaded vehicle. A tractor without a trailer (bobtail) has the greatest stopping distance.
Adjust Your Driving To The Conditions
There are a number of ways that the qualified driver can increase traction during extreme driving conditions. Make sure that tires have sufficient tread depth and air pressure. Steer, accelerate and brake smoothly and carefully for maximum traction. Start gently to prevent wheel spin and loss of traction. Avoid locking wheels. Slow down before turning and braking to prevent traction loss. Skidding and spinning of wheels can cause a tractor-trailer combination to loose control and jackknife.
Watch Out For Reduced Visibility
Visibility is both seeing what is ahead of you and also being seen by other vehicles. Make sure that your mirrors and windows are clean. Also, clean your headlights, running lights and tail lights. When it is raining or snowing, turn on your lights to help you see and to assist other drivers to see your vehicle. When visibility is reduced, slow down. Select a speed that you feel is safe for the highway conditions and then slow down another 5 or more miles per hour! As conditions become worse slow down and increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead. Allow yourself room to live!
Four times the distance to stop in rain, snow or ice. To stop your vehicle in the same distance it takes on dry pavement means cutting your speed in half on wet pavement and even more on snow and ice.
