Welcome back to Part II in our series on how to keep your commercial motor vehicles and truck drivers safe when adverse weather approaches. We have talked a lot about policy and procedure and gone over statistics regarding crash data, but today we want to dig even deeper into what you need to do to keep your equipment protected. We left off talking about tires, so let’s pick it back up there!
Tires and Adverse Weather
If you operate in a state where winter tires are not mandatory but temperatures fall below around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the low bar when temperature impacts tire performance, there can be a benefit to fitting winter tires even when not it is not required from a compliance perspective. This is especially true for mountainous areas. If you think you need snow chains or studded tires, you probably do.
Just remember that the use of these items is usually subject to additional rules and regulations such as which roads they can be used on, or when they can be used and what the maximum permissible speed limits are. Your truck drivers should know this information before the equipment is outfitted.
Check all your tires regularly, and this should include the spare tire. If they are not inflated to the correct pressure and have the correct tread depth, the braking distance a driver needs increases and skidding is also more likely to occur. This could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Ideally, truck and van tires should be replaced when they reach approximately 4/32 inches of remaining tread depth since wet braking performance deteriorates rapidly after this point. Your shop technicians and truck drivers should be well aware of these measurements. They are the front line on making sure a blowout doesn’t result in a crash.
Commercial motor vehicles must be prepared in such a way that they are safe to drive especially, but not exclusively, when the weather is bad. Always have vehicles serviced in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations to minimize the risk of breakdowns. In addition to that, keep a close eye on routine maintenance needs.
Your Adverse Weather Checklist
Do your truck drivers keep all windows, especially the windscreen, clean and clear both inside and outside? This is a simple safety and pre-trip measure that is far too often overlooked for the sake of expediency. Checking all windows ensures that the driver has maximum visibility and helps reduce eye strain, which in turn helps minimize fatigue, which is itself a big cause of crashes.
Making sure the windshield is clear is especially helpful when there is glare from the sun off of wet or icy roads. To help keep windows clean, wiper blades should be kept in good condition and be operating correctly. Remember to also remove the film that builds up on the inside of windscreens. Windscreen wiper fluid should be topped up regularly with the correct mixture to ensure that the windscreen doesn’t freeze over.
Finally, pay close attention to engine coolant. Engine coolant should be checked regularly and topped up when needed, especially when the truck driver is going to be operating in extreme heat. We talk a lot about extreme cold, but extreme heat can be an acute problem as well. And many trucking companies fail to pay close enough attention to extreme heat, which causes all sorts of problems.
Also keep an eye on oil. Oil levels should be checked and topped up when needed. This minimizes the chances of a vehicle breakdown in adverse weather. Ensure that the right specification of oil is used based on the expected operating temperatures that the driver will be driving in. Your shop technicians and truck drivers should be well-versed in this knowledge.
Have you made sure that all lights are working and are snow- and frost-free before you start out on a haul? It is important that truck drivers can see and be seen in inclement weather. After all, this is not only about them but also about those around them on roads and highways.
Finally, always ensure that vehicles in your fleet have enough fuel for whatever road or mountain pass lies ahead. Having enough spare fuel in case of an emergency, such as the driver getting stranded, can be used to keep the engine running in case it is needed to keep the truck driver either cool or warm using the in-vehicle HVAC.
Keep Driving in Mind
You can be only as safe as you drive, especially in bad weather. The first line of defense for any truck driver is their speed. Speed limits have been set for a reason, and drivers should go even slower when the weather is bad. Sure, they are to show drivers the maximum speed they can do in favorable conditions and it should not be a challenge to meet or exceed these limits by truck drivers.
When the weather is bad, truck drivers need to reduce their speed by approximately 12 miles below the posted speed limit as well as increase their following distance. This allows the driver more time to react should something happen, and it will help them to avoid a potential crash more easily. Examples of this include if someone in front of them breaks suddenly or swerves.
Excessive speeding is one of the top reasons why truck drivers get into accidents so it’s important to instill the idea in them of keeping an eye on the speed limit at all times and staying firmly below it, regardless of the weather conditions. This is something all truck drivers should practice as a rule.
Distractions while driving is becoming worse by the year, especially with mobile phones now being so easily accessible and an integral part of everyday life. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are studies suggesting that drivers who use a phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those who don’t. This is a huge number.
Managing Distractions and Behavior
Mobile phones are not the only culprit, however. Other types of distracted driving can include any time a truck driver is looking at things happening on the side of the road, such as pedestrians or construction. There are plenty of distractions on the roadside. Are your truck drivers making sure to avoid looking at them?
Other potential distractions include conversing with a passenger. Truck drivers should also avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while driving. Fleets should already have policies on the books for these behaviors. Even something as simple as messing around with a radio or ELD could prove a fatal distraction. Truck drivers must always remain focused on the road.
In the end, to have full control of a big rig, in both good and bad weather conditions, truck drivers need to have both hands available to control both the steering wheel and gears. Any distraction from the vehicle’s controls is problematic. Truck drivers always need to keep their eyes on the road. Even a split second of looking down can lead to serious consequences. Motor carriers must make sure their truck drivers know that they must not allow behaviors that lead to distractions.
Engage with Your Truck Drivers
In the end, the best way for fleets to ensure their truck drivers operate safely in adverse weather is to stay engaged with them. If everyone, from fleet managers to shop technicians, are engaged in their performance outcomes, a fleet can do no wrong. Consider implementing comprehensive driver engagement and motivation programs. Invest in advanced telematics and fleet management software.
When you focus on your people in a positive way, you will see positive results. Add competitive elements to how your truck drivers behave. Be innovative in how you approach driving in adverse conditions. Make sure your paperwork is up-to-date and that everyone is doing what is necessary to ensure safe operation.
Here we are, approaching 2021, and winter is here. As the cold weather descends on the northern hemisphere, smart trucking companies need to address their adverse weather programs. Focus on solid policy and ensure proper communication and buy-in from the crew, and you will surely operate as a safe motor carrier in 2021.