Kids are always happy when it snows because it means they have a new winter wonderland playground with the possibility of getting off school. For everyone else who has to navigate the roads to get to work, the icy roads are a potential hazard that can set off a chain reaction of damaging fender benders.
Those icy roads are even more dangerous if an 80,000 semi-truck hits a patch of slick ice. That can lead to a jackknife, rollover, sideswipe, or any other type of devastating accident. While truck drivers can’t control the weather, they can control how they react to the weather.
Alexandria sees an average of 15 inches of annual snowfall over the winter season. When it snows, the city of Alexandria springs into action to clear snow from 561 miles of roadways, 20 miles of public sidewalks, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots. That means they’ve got a lot of work to keep the road clear of ice, and they might not be able to stay in front of a storm.
Because of the size and challenges of driving an eighteen-wheeler, truck drivers have to be especially cautious. The following are some helpful precautions truckers should consider on icy roads.
Inspect Your Rig
Before any trip, truck drivers need to inspect their rigs. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides a Driver’s Vehicle Inspection Report that is a helpful guide for checking out all the pertinent systems on their trucks. It is especially important to check a truck’s tire pressure and antifreeze levels when heading out in freezing temperatures.
Reduce Your Speed
As a trucker, you always face pressure to make your deliveries on time or schedule. That could mean riding the maximum speed limit or going over. That is not an option when driving on slick roads. Snow and ice that have accumulated on the road reduce traction. Reducing your speed helps increase your ability to maintain control of your rig.
Allow for Greater Braking Distance
Trucks need the equivalent distance of two football fields to come to a complete stop if they are driving at 55 mph. On icy roads, that stopping distance can be almost 10 times that normal amount. You have to account for all the drivers ahead of you who might not have the experience to navigate icy roads and could end up spinning out. If you have distance between them, you can come to a stop without adding to the problems.
Watch Out for Tire Spray
A skilled truck driver will pay attention to road conditions in all kinds of weather. A good way to assess the conditions of the roads in snowy conditions is to check the water spray coming off other vehicles’ tires. If a lot of water is being sprayed, the road is wet. However, if it is snowing or has snowed and there is no spray coming off the tires, it indicates that the road is freezing up. That is when you need to exercise extreme caution.
Turn on Your Headlights
Visibility can be poor in a winter storm at any time of the day or night. It is important to keep your headlights on during a snowstorm during the day. A good rule to remember is that if you turn on your wipers, you should turn on your headlights.
When in Doubt, Pull Over
There might come a time during the storm when driving is simply unsafe. In those situations, you need to pull off the roadway to ride out the storm. Yes, that will cause a delay, but the alternative of getting involved in an accident or stuck on unplowed roads is not a better option.
Make Sure You Have the Proper Gear
In the winter, cold weather gear is a must for any truck driver. In addition to warm coats, boots, hats, and gloves, you also have to make sure you’ve got the right supplies on your truck to help you get out of the snow or ice you’ve become stuck in. Here are some of the gear you should include in your rig:
- A bag of rock salt
- A bag of cat litter
- A shovel
- Ice scraper
- Ice cleats for your boots
- Spare antifreeze and oil for your truck
- Anti-gel for your fuel tanks
Additionally, you should be prepared to stay in your truck for extended periods of time in case you become stranded because of traffic jams. That means having enough water, food, and blankets for several hours. You also want to make sure you keep your phone fully charged.
When Accidents Happen
Even after you’ve taken all those precautions, you still might find yourself unavoidably colliding with other vehicles. If that happens, you need to document the scene with photos and video. That includes the surrounding road conditions.
You might also want to reach out to the attorneys at Curcio Law. We have helped clients deal with all types of truck accidents in Virginia. Whether you’re a truck driver or a motorist, we can help investigate the conditions that lead to the accident and help determine who is responsible. Call to tell us what happened with your icy road accident.
