While there’s plenty to love about the holiday season, unfortunately, driving conditions tend to also be a lot more precarious and unpredictable during this time of year. Depending on where you live, weather conditions might vary quite a lot; and those who work in car hauling during the holidays have likely experienced some less than ideal weather conditions.
The road can be a far more dangerous place during the holidays, with increased snow, ice, rain, and even hail during this time of the year. As a result, truck drivers must be extra careful while hauling loads. Here are ten safety tips for car haulers to follow during the holiday season.
1. Conduct Thorough Inspections Before Driving
Before you even start hauling cars, it’s important to thoroughly inspect your vehicle. This is important for several reasons: it will allow you to avoid any penalties or fines for operating a vehicle in poor condition, and more importantly, it could potentially save the lives of others on the road.
Check the condition of your tires, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluids. While tires and antifreeze are both self-explanatory, having enough windshield wiper fluid is also incredibly important; cold weather can create an iced over or slushy windshield, so wiper fluid is necessary for drivers to have a clear view while driving.
2. Remove Ice and Snow from Vehicle
Again, before you even begin operating your vehicle, you should first make sure to remove ice and snow. Of course, removing snow and ice from your windshield is crucial as it will allow you to see your surroundings properly while driving; but you should also remove snow that may be on top of your hood, or on other areas of your truck as snow could otherwise fall and potentially hit other cars while on the road, which can be hazardous. Removing snow and ice usually only takes a few minutes, and can go a long way with creating a safer road for everyone.
3. Always Carry Extra Supplies
Even the safest of drivers can be the victims of poor circumstance; as a result, car haulers should always prepare for the worst and always have extra supplies in their truck when hitting the road. Water, dry food, a warm blanket, and a first aid kit are all crucial when delivering loads across long distances, because you never know when you may need them. Harsh weather conditions can result in accidents, so when faced with such an emergency, having a few extra supplies can be life saving.
4. Use Tire Chains
Depending on where you’re driving, you might be driving through a layer of snow; tire chains are pretty necessary in order to have better traction and grip when driving on snowy or icy roads, and can help you to avoid accidents. Additionally, tire chains also improve your truck’s braking ability.
5. Increase Following Distance
Driving on icy, snowy, or rainy roads makes it more difficult for vehicles to slow doan, with large trucks taking even longer to come to a complete stop. Because of this, car haulers should play it safe by always increasing their following distance in order to avoid accidents when braking.
6. Slow Down
On a similar note, car haulers should drive slower on icy or snowy roads. While the posted speed limit is generally a good speed in regular circumstances, it’s often too fast when driving in cold weather. It’s wise to drive slower than usual in order to have a greater distance between yourself and other drivers and have enough time to brake, change lanes, and turn.
7. Use Brakes Sparingly
When roads become iced over, they become much more slick which can create dangerous situations. In these conditions, try to avoid slamming on the brakes as sudden pressure on your vehicle’s brakes can cause losing control entirely. Try to drive slowly, and use your brakes very gradually when coming to a complete stop.
8. Avoid Black Ice
Black ice, also known as clear ice, is a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, particularly seen on roads. While the ice itself is not black, the name refers to the black road that can be seen underneath the ice. Because of its clear appearance, black ice is very difficult to see while driving but it’s usually found on overpasses and bridges. In order to avoid an accident while driving over black ice, use your brakes gradually and drive slowly.
9. Drive During Daylight Hours
Winter weather is already dangerous enough as it is; it becomes even more hazardous during night time, with little light, colder temperatures, and even more slick roads. And while it’s understandably not always possible to only drive during the daytime, you should try to drive in daylight as often as possible.
10. Avoid Distractions
It’s important to avoid distractions when driving, especially in more precarious weather conditions. Because of this, you should always use tools and devices that offer hands free usage. Never text while driving, and only make phone calls if you can do so without the use of your hands.
And while transportation management software is a tool regularly used for deliveries, you should never use it while operating a vehicle; only do so when you’re stopped completely. By limiting your distractions, you can ensure a safer driving experience for both yourself and others that you share the road with.
Try Super Dispatch
Super Dispatch is an all-in-one platform for delivering vehicles, including both a transportation management system (TMS) as well as an advanced load board that makes it easier than ever to find and deliver loads. If you’re a car hauler looking for a tool that can streamline the delivery process, then this may be just what you need. Request a demo today!
