Step 1: Make sure that your truck is prepared for winter driving.
Tires are the most important aspect of keeping your vehicle under control in snow and ice condition. Traction tires on the drive axle(s) of the truck with ample tread depth provides the best control in snow and ice conditions. The tread depth and condition of the steer axle tires is also vital in keeping control of the steering. If you are operating in areas with chain laws make sure the chains are in good condition and ready to be installed if needed. Mirrors and all glass in the truck should be clean for maximum visibility.
Step 2: Lights On. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Step 3: No Cruise Control. Don't use cruise control on snowy or icy roads.
Step 4: Bridges, Overpasses infrequently traveled roads.
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Step 5: Don’t “pump” the brakes. If your truck is equipped with ABS brakes do not “pump” the brakes.
Step 6: Drive slowly.
Driving too quickly is the main cause of winter accidents. Just because you are a large truck with a heavy load doesn't mean that you're invincible, be sure to drive slowly and carefully on snow- and ice-covered roads.
Step 7: Pay attention.
Maneuvers are more difficult to make in the snow. Be sure to anticipate what your next move is going to be to give yourself lots of room for turns and stopping.
Step 8: Don't tailgate.
While tailgating is a bad idea under normal driving conditions, it is much, much worse in winter weather. Stopping takes much longer on snowy and icy roads than on dry pavement. Be sure to leave a lot of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. A good rule of thumb is to leave four vehicle lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 mph you are driving.
Step 9: Brake before making turns.
It is difficult to steer vehicles while applying the brakes in snowy conditions. So make sure to smoothly step on your truck's brakes to reduce speed before entering turns. Once you have rounded the corner you can accelerate again.
Step 10: Drive smoothly.
Snowy and icy roads are much less forgiving than dry pavement. Make sure not to make any abrupt turns or stops when driving. Doing so will often cause your vehicle to lose control and skid out.
Step 11: Be familiar with your vehicle.
It is always a good idea to be familiar with your vehicle's driving dynamics. This is especially true when driving on snow or ice. Also, be aware of the weight condition of your truck. As your load and weight diminish the handling of the truck in snow and ice will change.
Step 12: Learn how to control skids.
While it is best practiced in a driving school or on a closed course, it is not a bad idea to practice controlling skids in your vehicle so that you know how to react if it ever happens under real world driving conditions. When skidding, you actually need to go against your natural instincts and turn into the skid and accelerate. Taking your foot off of the brakes and accelerating gently during skids transfers your vehicle's weight from the front to the rear and often helps vehicles to regain control.
The FHWA's web site at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm contains links to information on weather and road conditions and the availability of travel web sites and 511
Winter Tips to follow concerning the vehicle:
- Blended fuel purchased, or a diesel supplement is added to the fuel tanks as temperatures creep below 32*.
- Make sure the unit block heaters are plugged in when unit is not in use during the winter months.
- Initial start-up each day should follow this order – unplug block heater before start up, ignition in “on” position, start unit, once running, unit should be brought up to temperature before operating.
- If equipped with air brakes and air tank pull cords and/or drain orifices, you should purge tanks daily, make sure the air system airs to 120psi, and listen for the air drier to purge the system clean of moisture.
- Make sure all fluids are up, including window wash. Now is the time to check additional fluids, such as “Wet Kits” etc.
- Make sure wiper blades are functional, all glass/mirrors cleaned, if equipped, heated mirrors functional, make sure headlights tail/turn lights are cleaned off of snow/ice/salt and operational
- If you have driven in snow, ice, slosh, before stopping the vehicle at the end of their shift, lightly have the brakes applied to clean off and dry the shoes, drums, rotors and pads to prevent brakes pads freezing to drum/rotors while the unit is parked.
- Make sure any steps and grab handles are clean, secure and dry to avoid slipping.
- If you are operating in state that require chains to be on board, make sure the chains are the correct size, properly secured, clean, and not broken as to be easily applied when necessary.
Not sure what your states chain laws are go to: http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/laws.html
10. Most important dress warm with self-wicking clothing and have extra clothing in the event the unit may break/shut down to avoid hypothermia
FHWA's web site at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm contains links to information on weather and road conditions and the availability of travel web sites and 511
FMCSA Finalizes Changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program
Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made changes to its Crash Preventability Determination Program. Under the CPDP motor carriers and drivers may submit requests for data review (RDR) to FMCSA to determine the preventability of commercial motor vehicle crashes.
After review of public comments on its proposal, the FMCSA notice added four new crash types to be eligible for review:
- CMV was struck on the side by a motorist operating in the same direction.
- CMV was struck because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.
- CMV was struck because another motorist lost control of their vehicle. The Police Accident Report (PAR) must specifically mention loss of control either in the citation, contributing factors, and/or PAR narrative.
- Any other type of crash involving a CMV where a video demonstrates the sequence of events of the crash.
There are now 21 separate types of crashes that are eligible for review in the CPDP. But the FMCSA refused a request to amend its procedures to proactively review crashes for preventability and remove the requirement for the motor carrier or driver to submit a request.
The agency said the burden remains on the submitter to provide compelling evidence that the crash is eligible and not preventable. Submitters are encouraged to submit other documents to support their request including videos, pictures, and court documents. The crash data fields that are submitted to FMCSA in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) are a subset of the information that is available on the Police Accident Report. FMCSA noted it does not have direct access to PARs or other supporting documentation about a crash, and a preventability determination requires more information than is available in MCMIS.
Preventability under the CPDP will still be determined according to the following standard: ‘‘If a driver, who exercises normal judgment and foresight could have foreseen the possibility of the accident that in fact occurred and avoided it by taking steps within his/her control which would not have risked causing another kind of mishap, the accident was preventable.’’
FMCSA will continue to make a determination of ‘‘Preventable’’ if there is evidence that the driver or carrier could have prevented the crash or was prohibited from operating the CMV at the time of the crash. This includes, but is not limited to, out-of-service violations, license violations, and driver prohibitions in the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The FMCSA noted the crash preventability determinations made under this program will not affect any carrier’s safety rating or ability to operate. The agency will not issue penalties or sanctions on the basis of these determinations, and the determinations do not establish any obligations or impose legal requirements on any motor carrier. These determinations also will not change how the agency will make enforcement decisions.
Also, FMCSA emphasized that these determinations do not establish legal liability, fault, or negligence by any party. Fault is generally determined in the course of civil or criminal proceedings and results in the assignment of legal liability for the consequences of a crash. By contrast, a preventability determination is not a proceeding to assign legal liability for a crash. Under 49 U.S.C. 504(f), FMCSA’s preventability determinations may not be admitted into evidence or used in a civil action for damages and are not reliable for that purpose.
