How to Avoid Collisions in the Winter

Winter weather and adverse road conditions can challenge even the most seasoned operators. Although newer trucks often have enhanced handling features, drivers should still rely on basic, time-honored skills to avoid winter driving accidents.

Slow Down

When you are driving a heavy piece of equipment, be very careful particularly when applying the brakes, making turns, going around curves or changing lanes. Slowing down helps avoid skidding and is critical when driving on snowy roads and in severe weather conditions. Experienced drivers know that reducing their speed gives them the best chance to avoid unexpected obstacles without causing a skid or losing control of the truck.

Handling Skidding

Skidding is very dangerous and is one of the major causes of winter traffic accidents. Knowing how to handle a skid properly gives you the best chance to safely regain control of the truck and avoid a collision.

Accidents due to skidding can usually be avoided, and you should be familiar with some basic skid-recovery techniques to regain control of your truck. Whether it is the rear wheel, front wheel or both the rear and front wheels that lose traction on the road, you need to know how to regain control.

When the truck starts to skid, avoid braking and ease off of the gas pedal. “If the truck has an automatic transmission, you should shift into neutral,” says Dean Newell, Past Chairman of the American Trucking Associations Safety Management Council. If the truck is a standard version, push in the clutch pedal and shift to neutral. Focus on the direction of where you want the truck to go and pay attention to if it responds correctly while steering. If it is responding, regain control by gently steering the truck in the right direction. Remember to be gentle with acceleration and maintain a safe speed when you start to drive again.

Electronic Stability Control

One new safety feature that is pre-installed on many new or used vehicles to help drivers from skidding on the winter roads is Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This system has sensors that are capable of comparing the direction of the steering wheel with the direction of travel of the equipment. When the ESC system detects that the truck is beginning to skid, the system will automatically reduce the power to the engine, or apply the brakes to the wheels; it may do both at the same time in order to keep the truck under control.

As an additional safety feature, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), which prevents the truck’s wheels from locking when braking, is standard on all vehicles and can be helpful when navigating on icy roads.

Driving in the winter can be challenging, and operators should take every precaution to protect themselves and other drivers on the road. Make sure you understand your equipment and its safety features when driving in extreme weather conditions, and consider basic driving techniques such as slowing your speed and maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicles around you.

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