Staying aware of the weather circumstances through which you will be transporting your cargo will help you plan and save time on your trip and also help you to prevent the need to file a trucking insurance claim. The majority of commercial truck drivers have the experience of driving in all different types of weather conditions. Appreciating the diverse affect these poor conditions will have on the roads they are utilizing proves extremely vital to the safety of all driving on the roads.
Research the weather conditions along your route directions for the time frame you will be traveling. Have at hand a secondary route available in case weather conditions become too perilous to use your original path. Frequently get weather update by listening to the radio or communicating with other drivers on your CB.
Make sure that your route never passes near a hurricane watch. You should have plenty of time to alter your route since hurricanes approach slowly enough.
If a tornado is near never try to outrun it. Leave your truck and find shelter somewhere. If you can not find any shelter, then lie in a ditch or depression until the tornado passes.
Remain in your truck if you come across a thunderstorm. Consider finding a place to park, but make sure that it is not near any power lines or tall trees.
Make sure and keep your windows clear when traveling through snow and icy conditions. Be aware that overpasses and bridges will freeze first. Use caution when braking because you will not be able to do so as quickly as normal.
When traveling in foggy conditions turn on your defroster and windshield wipers to aid your visibility. Be on the look out for any slow moving or stopped vehicles. Sometimes keeping one window partially down can assist you in hearing vehicles before you may see them.
