As we have just headed into the fall season, truck drivers will face driving challenges way different from those in summer. For many truck drivers, fall is just a stopover on the road to the winter freeze. However, don’t be deceived. As we approach the end of September, traffic and roadway conditions significantly change. Fall safety tips are more than welcome in those situations, right?
It just takes a bit of preparation and you’ll enjoy the seasonal changes that fall brings.
Return home safely is the number one priority of every truck driver and their company. Keeping in mind the following tips will help you adjust to those changes more quickly.
Leaves as a part of autumn beauty
Although the fall foliage makes breathtaking scenery, it can be dangerous. Roads covered in leaves are the number one safety concern in fall. Some trees such as oak and sycamore have broad leaves that can lay flat against the pavement and reduce friction for vehicles. The road becomes slippery and dangerous.
When combined with rain, which is very frequent during fall, leaves on the road can present additional danger. Wet leaves are among the slickest materials you can encounter.
The worst thing you can do is to brake hard, no matter how good your tires are. Instead, slow down until you are out of the area. Then, call the local authorities to alert them and have someone come clean up the road. Even though many truckers neglect this step, it’s one of the most important fall safety tips.
Foggy and frosty road full of surprises
Despite the fact that we primarily see fog and frost in the winter, they can still pose a threat in some regions in the fall. The majority of fall mornings can bring fog, which can impair your ability to see far away objects. To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, you must turn on your fog lights. Use them in tandem with your low beams to maximize your visibility under these circumstances. High beams should not be used. Additionally, ice spots can appear from time to time. If you don’t drive at the right speed, you should slow down and be more careful as your vehicle is more prone to sliding during those road conditions.
Further, frosted windshields in the morning will become more frequent as the temperature decreases. Before you head to your next destination, take some time to remove ice from your truck’s windshield, wipers, mirrors, and other parts.
Shorter days and more dark
The sun is already setting sooner and earlier. Daylight Saving Time ends on November 3 which results in significantly shorter days. Less sunshine means more nighttime or dusk travel, which is always riskier. In addition, due to visual impairment, it happens more often to overlook signs, and much more difficult to spot wildlife on the road.
Driving during reduced visibility requires extra attention because 50% of accidents happen during the night.
Always maintain a greater following distance than you would if you were driving during the day.
Before you hit the road, check that all of your lights are working.
As you can see from the above, you won’t likely encounter any major problems, but it never hurts to be cautious. In general, good truckers take seasonal changes very seriously. You may make your journeys safer if you go by these fall driving safety advice for truck drivers. Even the most skilled truck drivers need to adapt to the weather changes that present new difficulties.
The greatest truckers never hesitate to prepare for new season challenges on time. Consider how you can apply these suggestions to your regular schedule as a truck driver because there is more to fall than just the foliage changing color and the temperature dropping.