Don't Let the Winter Weather Catch You Off Guard!
As winter approaches, the roads can become a challenging for truck drivers. Snow and ice present unique hazards that require a proactive approach to safety and vehicle maintenance. Whether you’re navigating through snow-covered highways or icy backroads, being well-prepared can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and secure journey. In this blog post, we’ll cover essential winter driving tips and vehicle care practices to help you stay safe on the road. From tire checks to handling skids, we’ve got you covered with the knowledge you need to conquer winter driving with confidence. Let’s dive into the crucial steps you should take to prepare your truck for the cold months ahead!
In this issue:
- Winter Tips to Follow Concerning the Vehicle
- FMCSA Finalizes Changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program
- Safety Bulletin Registration
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Step 1: Prepare Your Truck for Winter Driving
Tires are critical in ensuring you have proper control of your vehicle during snowy and icy conditions. Having traction tires on the drive axle(s) with sufficient tread depth significantly enhances control. It’s also important to check the tread depth and condition of the steer axle tires, as they are vital for effective steering. If you’re in areas with chain laws, be sure your chains are in good condition and ready for use when needed. Lastly, ensure that all mirrors and glass on the truck are clean to maximize visibility.
Step 2: Turn Your Lights On
Turn on your lights to improve your visibility to other motorists.
Step 3: Avoid Using Cruise Control
Do not use cruise control on snowy or icy roads.
Step 4: Be Cautious on Bridges, Overpasses, and Infrequently Traveled Roads
When driving, take extra care on bridges, overpasses, and less-traveled roads, as they are prone to freezing sooner. Even if the temperature is above freezing, ice can still form in shaded spots or on exposed surfaces like bridges.
Step 5: Don’t “Pump” the Brakes
If your truck is equipped with ABS brakes, do not “pump” the brakes. Let the system function as designed.
Step 6: Drive Slowly
Excessive speed is a significant factor in winter accidents. Even if you’re behind the wheel of a large truck carrying a heavy load, you’re not immune to danger. It’s important to drive slowly and carefully on roads that are covered in snow and ice.
Step 7: Stay Alert
Navigating in snowy conditions can be tricky. Be sure to plan your next move in advance, allowing ample space for turns and stops.
Step 8: Don’t Tailgate
Tailgating poses a significant risk in any situation but becomes even more dangerous during snowy and icy conditions. When driving on snow and ice, it takes much longer to stop than it does on dry roads. It’s important to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead. A helpful guideline is to allow four car lengths for every 10 mph you’re traveling.
Step 9: Brake Before Making Turns
Steering can be challenging while braking in snowy conditions. It’s important to gently apply the brakes to decrease your speed before entering a turn. After you’ve navigated the corner, you can then accelerate again.
Step 10: Drive Smoothly
Slippery, snowy roads are significantly more challenging than dry surfaces. Steer clear of sudden turns or hard braking, as these maneuvers can lead to loss of control and skidding.
Step 11: Be Familiar with Your Vehicle
Understanding the handling characteristics of your vehicle is crucial, particularly when navigating snowy or icy conditions. Keep in mind the load and weight of your truck; as the load decreases, the way your vehicle handles on these surfaces will shift.
Step 12: Learn How to Control Skids
It’s essential to know how to respond to a skid in real-life situations. When you find yourself skidding, resist the urge to react instinctively; instead, turn into the skid and apply gentle acceleration. By easing off the brakes and gradually accelerating during a skid, you can shift weight from the front to the rear wheels, which often helps you regain control of the vehicle.
For more information on weather and road conditions, check out the FHWA’s website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm. It offers resources related to weather, travel sites, and 511 services.
Winter Tips to Follow Concerning the Vehicle
Blended Fuel: Blended fuel should be purchased, or a diesel supplement should be added to the fuel tanks as temperatures drop below 32°F.
Block Heaters: Ensure that the unit block heaters are connected when the unit is not in operation during the winter months.
Initial Start-Up Process: At the beginning of each day, follow this procedure: first, unplug the block heater before starting the unit. Next, turn the ignition to the “on” position, and then start the engine. Once the unit is running, give it some time to reach its operating temperature before use.
Air Brake System Maintenance: If your system has air brakes and air tank pull cords or drain orifices, make sure to purge the tanks every day. Verify that the air system reaches 120 psi and listen for the air dryer working to remove moisture from the system.
Check Fluids: Top off all fluids, including the windshield washer fluid. This is also a good opportunity to check other fluids, like those for the “wet kits” and so on.
Wiper Blades and Lights: Check that the wiper blades are working properly and that all glass and mirrors are clean. If your vehicle has heated mirrors, ensure they are functioning as well. Also, clear any snow, ice, or salt from headlights, taillights, and turn signals, and verify that they are all in working order.
Brakes After Snow or Ice Driving: If you’ve been driving in snow, ice, or slush, it’s a good idea to gently apply the brakes before stopping your vehicle at the end of your shift. This action helps clean and dry the shoes, drums, rotors, and pads, reducing the chances of the brake pads freezing to the drums or rotors while the vehicle is parked.
Steps and Grab Handles: Ensure all steps and grab handles are clean, secure, and dry to avoid slipping.
Chain Requirements: If you’re in a state that mandates carrying chains, make sure they are the right size, clean, and undamaged so they can be quickly and easily used when necessary. If you’re unsure about your state’s chain laws, visit: http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/laws.html
Dress Warm: Wear warm, moisture-wicking clothing, and keep additional layers handy in case the unit malfunctions or stops working, as a precaution against hypothermia.
For more information on weather and road conditions, visit the FHWA’s website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm, which provides links to weather updates, road conditions, travel websites, and 511 services.
FMCSA Finalizes Changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced finalized updates to its Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). This program allows motor carriers and drivers to submit requests for data reviews (RDR) to the FMCSA, which will assess the preventability of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Following a review of public feedback on its proposed changes, FMCSA has included four additional crash types that are now eligible for review:
- A CMV was struck on the side by a motorist operating in the same direction.
- A CMV was struck because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.
- A 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, or PAR narrative.
- Any other type of crash involving a CMV where a video demonstrates the sequence of events of the crash.
Currently, there are 21 distinct types of crashes that can be reviewed under the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declined to change its procedures to initiate reviews for preventability on its own, meaning motor carriers or drivers must still be the ones to request such reviews. FMCSA emphasized that the responsibility lies with the submitter to provide strong evidence demonstrating that the crash is eligible for review and not preventable.
Submitters are encouraged to include additional proof, such as videos, photographs, and court documents. It’s important to note that the crash data in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) is just a portion of what is available in the Police Accident Report (PAR). FMCSA does not have direct access to PARs or other relevant documents, and making a determination on preventability requires more information than what MCMIS provides. The preventability determination under the CPDP will continue to follow this standard: “If a driver, using normal judgment and foresight, could have anticipated the possibility of the accident and avoided it by taking reasonable steps without risking another incident, the accident is considered preventable.” FMCSA will classify a crash as “Preventable” if evidence shows that the driver or carrier had the opportunity to avert the crash or if they were not permitted to operate the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when the incident occurred. This encompasses issues like out-of-service violations, licensing infractions, and driver prohibitions as indicated in the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
It is crucial to understand that FMCSA’s decisions on crash preventability under this program will not influence a carrier’s safety rating or their ability to operate. There will be no penalties or sanctions associated with these determinations, and they won’t impact FMCSA’s enforcement actions. Moreover, FMCSA clarified that preventability determinations do not assign legal liability, fault, or negligence to any party involved. Legal fault is typically established in civil or criminal cases, where responsibility for the outcomes of a crash is determined. Conversely, a preventability determination does not serve as a means of establishing legal liability for a crash. Under 49 U.S.C. 504(f), FMCSA’s preventability decisions cannot be used in court as evidence or for civil damages, and they should not be regarded as reliable for that purpose.
*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.