As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, the challenges faced by truckers on the road increase exponentially. Ensuring that drivers are fully prepared for winter conditions is paramount, and starting in the fall is a good first step.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, “Over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions, which receive more than five inches of average snowfall annually. Nearly 70% of the U.S. population lives in these snowy regions. Each year, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually.”
Snow and ice reduce pavement friction and the ability to move vehicles, which leads drivers to reduce their speed, reduces capacity on roads and increases crash risks.
Daniel Vega, director of safety at Reliance Partners, details steps carriers can take now to get prepped.
“Tire maintenance cannot be overstated when it comes to winter trucking safety,” Vega said. “Check for proper tread depth, even wear of tires, tire pressure and make sure tire chains are stocked in the cab now.”
Tires are the only point of contact between a massive vehicle and the road, making them crucial for traction, handling and braking. Snow tires can be great for extra traction but are typically a little costlier than traditional tires, which is where chains come in handy for routes with heavy snow.
“Tire chains are our temporary solution that could help in these conditions [and are] less expensive for carriers,” Vega said. “The only difference is chains can break or come loose, so you have to check them more often. I think either option is beneficial, as long as you have one or the other. Something is better than nothing.”
The importance of pre-trip and post-trip inspections only increases as the winter months roll around. Drivers should add defrosters, heaters, windshield wipers and batteries to the list of items they usually cover in trip inspections. Batteries are especially important to check, including whether there is corrosion or loose terminals.
As temperatures drop, batteries can have reduced performance, poor charging or loss of capacity.
It’s also valuable to check for ice and snow on the tops of trailers. Accumulation of snow and ice on trailers, especially those sitting in a drop yard, is dangerous because in most states drivers are liable for whatever flies off their vehicle and causes an accident.
Vega says route planning is crucial in the winter, too. That means not only having a route in mind before leaving but also listening to local communication or other drivers who have encountered dicey roadways.
Fuel planning becomes even more critical in winter months as well. Cold weather can increase fuel consumption. Plan refueling stops more frequently to avoid running low in remote areas. Never falling below half a tank is what most safety managers suggest.
Just like motorists, truck drivers should stock emergency kits for winter weather. The kits should include extra clothing and blankets, nonperishable food and water, a flashlight and extra batteries or chargers, a first-aid kit, an ice scraper, and a snow brush.
Training and education form a critical component of winter safety preparations for truckers. Safety managers should organize and conduct regular winter driving workshops for all drivers, regardless of experience level. The workshops should cover essential topics such as techniques for driving on snow and ice, including proper speed management, increased following distances, smooth acceleration and deceleration, and how to recover from skids.
The goal is not just to meet minimum safety standards, but to exceed them, ensuring that every driver returns home safely after each winter trip.
The biggest piece of advice Vega offers: “Focus on tire maintenance and defensive driving, especially before the season starts. For those traveling through areas with snowfall, a defensive driving refresher is the best thing to implement now before the weather comes.”