Driving across the United States is no easy task. Drivers travel through many states and experience all kinds of weather conditions. It takes experience, skills, and patience to prevent and avoid accidents along the way, deliver cargo on time, and maintain the truck driver’s integrity.
Most Dangerous Weather & Road Conditions
As long-haul truck drivers must travel across many States, there’s a high chance that they’ll experience different types of weather & road conditions, quickly going from extreme blizzards to dry plains in a matter of miles. Therefore, drivers must be prepared to go through these conditions and know what to do in each case. If not, bad weather may cause accidents, injuries, and delays.
There are many dangerous conditions a truck driver must consider and know precisely how to maneuver to arrive safely at their destination; these are three of the hazardous weather conditions truck drivers may face during their journey:
1. Heavy snowfall
Even though there are ways to be safe during snowfall, drivers should get off the road when heavy snowfall reduces visibility significantly. Be aware of weather forecasts for the areas you will be traveling. In the event of heavy snowfall be prepared to use tire chains (which in some states are required by law to have them on board), ensure you have enough fuel for possible delays, warm clothing, and non-perishable foods. Always seek safe parking if conditions are unsafe to travel.
Check out our How to Chain Tutorial here
2. Freezing rain
Freezing rain is one of the most dangerous conditions to experience while driving since it may cause a loss of control of your vehicle combination. When temperatures fall below freezing and rain comes, the water on the roads turns into ice in no time. If you perceive icy roads or suspect the conditions will lead to freezing rain reduce your speed and look for somewhere to get off the road and wait for the weather to improve before resuming your trip.
3. Fog
There are some cases where fog can be thin and not cause serious issues, but the thick fog that reduces your visibility can be dangerous. When you experience fog always reduce your speed. If fog becomes dense, making it impossible to see safely in front of you, then get off the road and park until the fog dissipates.
4. Strong winds
Another dangerous condition is the wind. Some may take it for granted, but it can become a serious problem and cause an accident. There have been 21 rollovers of high-profile vehicles due to wind in Wyoming this year.
According to the FMCSA, winds greater than 25 miles per hour may affect the truck driver and their ability to maneuver the truck. Strong winds may cause truck drivers to invade other lanes, drive off the road, roll over, or many other serious accidents. This possibility increases if the truck is not loaded correctly since the weight will be distributed unevenly. Having uneven weight puts more strain on the truck while it’s being moved by the wind, increasing the chances of an accident.
For all these dangerous weather & road conditions, it’s best if truck drivers make their way off the road and find a safe place to wait until the weather conditions improve. Even though some drivers may want to power through the weather, this may cause more significant issues beyond delays. Therefore, instead of putting your life in danger, assess the situation, find a safe place to park, and wait for better weather so you can continue your journey safely.