Winter driving presents unique hazards that require truck drivers to adjust their driving style to account for constantly changing conditions. Drivers must be able to recognize these winter hazards and apply the right defenses to prevent an accident.Read the information below and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to improve your driving skills and reduce the risk of a crash.
Reduce the risk of crash with these tips
OBSERVE THE PROPER SPEED FOR CONDITIONS
Reduce speed 2-3 mph below the flow of traffic, not to exceed the posted speed limit. Adjust speed if road conditions worsen.
REACT PROPERLY TO HAZARDS
Do not use cruise control on slippery or wet surfaces. Pull over if driving conditions become unsafe.
MAINTAIN PROPER FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Keep a minimum of six seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. Add one second of following distance for each additional hazard present.
BE ATTENTIVE TO THE ROAD
Monitor weather forecasts for approaching storms. Watch traffic for signs of deteriorating road conditions. Make quick glances to mirrors, then return your focus to the road ahead.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS
Avoid distractions while driving, such as talking/texting on a phone, eating or drinking, gawking at passing crash scenes, or adjusting the radio or GPS. Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
CONDUCT A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION
Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection. Clean mirrors, windows, lights, and reflectors at each stop or as needed. Keep extra windshield wipers and fluid on hand.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
© Great West Casualty Company 2023. The material in this publication is the property of Great West Casualty Company unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced without its written consent by any person other than a current insured of Great West Casualty Company for business purposes. Insured should attribute use as follows: “© Great West Casualty Company 2018. Used with permission by Great West Casualty Company.”
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds on employment-related issues. Therefore, the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein.
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