Driving In Bad Weather

Winter is upon us and more drivers are having to take to the roads during inclement weather conditions. Conditions will vary this season from mild to severe and roads will become increasingly treacherous as the weather gets worse. It is important for you to know how to handle your car on the road during this type of weather.

Whether you're dealing with torrential rain, freezing rain, ice, or snow, there are some rules that apply across the board. By taking the time to educate yourself on how to drive safely in bad weather, you are protecting yourself and the other drivers on the road.

As part of every truck inspection, you have to dig deep into the inner workings of each truck to catch problems that would have gone unnoticed during a less thorough inspection. It's understandable that you might not want to go so deep every time. The cost of paying inspectors is significant, so you have to determine the best way to perform thorough inspections without giving them unnecessary responsibilities. At the same time, you wouldn't want your inspections to be so cursory that they fail to catch important repairs.

When a driver of a semi-truck experiences problems with one of the tires on their rig or trailer, an immediate assessment of the tire should be undertaken by the driver. To do this, the driver must pull safely to side of the highway in a designate turn off or exit, deploying caution cones as necessary to warn other traffic of the stopped vehicle, and inspect the problematic tire to determine to cause of the issue.

Whether it's a diesel particulate filter or some other part, you have to have several different versions on hand. You wouldn't want to be caught without an important part with a truck that desperately needs it. If you don't have the right part on hand, the people who are responsible for repairing your trucks have to have the resources necessary to get the part quickly. Your trucks have to be back on the road almost as quickly as you realize that they have a problem. Failure to do so can affect your business in an intensely negative way.

Knowing When to Replace Your Trucks

Coming up with a budget for maintaining your fleet has to address the possibility that you will need to replace your trucks at some point. Performing minor repairs on your trucks over time will reduce their overall level of stability. Above all else, you need to repair your trucks the right way the first time around. Patching up your trucks is a way to cut costs, but it will create some problems later on. Bringing in the right people to repair your trucks is a costly venture. It's worth it when you consider what these individuals can bring to your business.

Make sure that when on the road, you leave plenty of space between you and other drivers. Don't be in a hurry. Speeding cars and bad conditions cause more accidents than anything else, and keep in mind that speeding in bad weather may mean that you are going too fast even if you are 15 mph below the speed limit.

Giving yourself the space you need on the road allows you the time to slow down carefully if it is required. If you find yourself slipping or sliding don't panic. Stay calm and react as you need to, working to stay relaxed and alert. No matter the conditions, following these rules will help you avoid accidents and stay safe on the road during bad weather, and remember, sometimes the best option is to stay off the road.