| There are no secrets when it comes to winter | | | | that the roads are safer than they actually are.Tip # |
| driving. If there's ice on the road, it's dangerous. The | | | | 6 Watch for warning signs.If there are four-wheelers |
| big truck flying past you at 55 mph when everyone | | | | spun out in the median or shoulder, the roads are |
| else is crawling along at 15 or 20 mph doesn't have | | | | bad. If you start seeing big trucks spun out, it's time |
| the inside track on the winter roadways. You're liable | | | | to get off the roadway.Tip # 7 There's no load |
| to see him in the median a few miles up the road.If | | | | worth your life.If you are on dangerous roadways, |
| you're driving on ice, you won't know it until you | | | | your best bet is to find a safe spot to wait it out. |
| need to stop. It doesn't matter if you're in a sedan, a | | | | Let your logbook gain some hours. If you can't find a |
| 4-wheel drive or a big rig: brakes are the great | | | | spot in a truck stop, park on a ramp or anywhere |
| equalizer.Tip #1 Ice on your windshield means ice on | | | | out of the way. Try not to park on an incline. You're |
| the road.The ice doesn't have to be packed up on | | | | liable to get yourself stuck.Tip # 8 Carry supplies.In |
| the roadway to be dangerous- a thin sheet of ice | | | | the unfortunate event that you end up stuck, spun |
| can develop quickly into a thick problem.Tip # 2 Keep | | | | out, wrecked, or just sitting in a backup, be sure you |
| an eye on the temperature.Water freezes at 32 | | | | have necessities with you. Keep extra blankets, |
| degrees. The roadways tend to be slightly warmer | | | | canned food (and a can opener if needed), and |
| than the air temp, but once you're down that low in | | | | water. Be sure you keep your diesel tanks full so you |
| temperature, you need to be wary.Tip # 3 Look for | | | | won't run out.Tip # 9 Treat your diesel.Diesel gels |
| spray coming up from other vehicles.If spray is | | | | when it gets really cold. If your diesel gels, your truck |
| coming off the tires, it's likely that the roads are wet | | | | won't run. If you are facing winter weather |
| (as opposed to ice covered), but keep in mind that a | | | | conditions, you need to put an anti-gel additive in |
| short stretch of road with ice on it can be just as | | | | your tanks (put it in BEFORE you fuel so it mixes). |
| dangerous as a ice-packed roadway.Tip # 4 Talk to | | | | It's a good idea to stock up ahead of time and/or |
| people.Make sure your CB radio is on and talk to the | | | | buy at a Wal-Mart rather than expecting the truck |
| drivers around you. If you are a new driver, try to | | | | stop to have it in stock. They tend to run out right |
| find a seasoned driver who isn't talking a lot of big | | | | when you need it-every one else already bought |
| talk. We're all a little nervous out there if we really | | | | theirs from is the only comprehensive online resource |
| know what we're dealing with. You want to find a | | | | for over 1100 truck weigh stations and scales as well |
| seasoned driver with a healthy respect for physics to | | | | as state DOT weight regulations and policies. |
| help talk you through it.Tip # 5 Don't follow too | | | | Knowledge of the varying policies and the ability to |
| close.Traffic tends to bunch up on bad roads-the | | | | manage or avoid most weigh stations can save |
| natural inclination is to follow other drivers. Stay away | | | | truckers thousands of dollars in ticket fines. For |
| from four-wheelers. Often they are under the illusion | | | | further information, contact Michael Farrell at 646.257. |