10-4 March Safety Brief
Spring Showers Bring Trucking Safety Hazards
With the current state of the weather in the Southeast region, you’d think it was already rainy season. This may just be the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully soon we’ll be finished with snow, but that means spring is rolling in right behind it with all the rain. While you fight the spring showers we want you to stay safe. We have a few suggestions for driving in the rain.
Avoid Hydroplaning
One of the most common concerns of driving in the rain is hydroplaning, which is what happens when your tires lose traction because of wet roads. It usually happens at the beginning of a storm because rain seeps into the asphalt, lifting oil and fuel to the surface and making the road slick. The slick residue washes away after a few minutes, but in a stronger storm enough water can accumulate on the roadway to create a barrier between your tires and the road and cause you to hydroplane. Slowing down (even below the speed limit if necessary) and driving in the tracks ahead of you if possible are smart ways to avoid hydroplaning. Make sure your headlights are on for optimal visibility and be sure to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. If you start to lose control or start jackknifing, applying the clutch will slow the vehicle down and allow the wheel to turn freely to regain control.
Staying Alert
During spring showers, the best thing you can do is stay alert. If you or another vehicle loses control, the faster you react, the better. We advise you to stay alert even before you hit the road by keeping an eye on the forecast and being aware if your route for the day might take you through any storms. Give yourself adequate time to prepare or reroute. Here is a link we recommend for checking the weather: https://weather.com/maps/tendayforecast.
