Extreme Weather Driving Tips

Winter is here! Be prepared to encounter fog, high winds, rain, freezing rain, blowing snow, and icy roads. These hazards can not only substantially decrease your visibility, but they also reduce traction and stopping distance.

Below you will find some extremely important safe driving tips for extreme weather conditions:

• Make sure that you conduct proper pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure that your equipment is safe.
• Make sure that your wipers work properly.
• Clean the snow and ice off of your fifth wheel to ensure proper hooking.
• Clean the snow and ice off of your windshields, side windows, mirrors, steps, and grab handles
• Wear sunglasses on bright sunny days to avoid snow blindness.
• Buckle up. It’s the law and it saves lives.
• Avoid distractions – PUT YOUR CELL PHONE AWAY!
• Get off the roads when conditions are too bad to drive.
• Keep a survival kit in your vehicle.
• Watch or listen to weather reports for the areas you are traveling in so that you can prepare for winter conditions.
• Slow down on slippery roads and in low-visibility conditions.
• Increase your following distance in poor conditions.
• Avoid using cruise control on slick or icy roads.
• Do not brake harder than necessary on slick or icy roads.
• Use your headlights so that you can be seen by others.
• Stay alert and avoid fatigued driving.
• Continuously scan the roadways so that you can react properly to other motorists’ actions.
• Allow snow plows the right of way so that they can clear roads.

USTDTS wishes you safe travels this winter!