Though we face strict deadlines for pick-up and delivery, sometimes the weather is just too severe for us to go on. It’s not safe at all. It’s not even safe for a mid-sized sedan to navigate a blizzard on the interstate, so driving a gigantic big rig with one or two trailers in those conditions is just asking for trouble, and sometimes even tire chains aren’t enough. I’ve had to wait out plenty of winter storms, so here’s the best advice I can give you in case you get stuck. It won’t be fun, but at least you’ll stay safe and somewhat comfortable.
Before the Storm Starts
There are a few things you can do to prepare if you know you’re headed into iffy weather conditions, or you’re just headed to a geographic location you’re not too familiar with. Keep the gas tank as full as you can if you’re going to drive into any sketchy weather.
That keeps the fuel lines from freezing and makes sure that you’ll have enough fuel to turn on the heater when you need to. Obviously, you should check out what the National Weather Service has to say about the area, but you should come prepared with some items as well. They should be easy to get to in case you can’t get outside of your vehicle.
Tell Someone Else Where You’re Going and How You’re Getting There
Cell Phone
Blankets
Food/Water
Survival Box (first aid kit, a flare, lighter, flashlight)
Am/FM Radio
Ice Scraper/Snow Brush
Additionally, if you know you’re headed for a problem area, take some time to put chains on your tires. It sucks to do, especially when it’s really cold outside, but it can mean the difference between arriving safely and an accident. Here’s a tire chain tutorial.
When the Storm Starts
When the snow starts falling, you know you have to make a decision. As the pretty white flakes cascade across the lanes like miniature ivory tidal waves, you need to slow down no matter what. Put a generous distance between your car and the car in front of you. No matter how fast you think you can drive, driver slower.
Most snow-related accidents happen because people drive at crazy speeds and don’t give themselves enough room to safely come to a stop. I’ve seen it happen on the road plenty of times, and in my rookie year I almost caused a wreck because I was too pig-headed to slow down. It’s a hard pill to swallow and no one (truckers especially!) likes arriving late, but your life is worth it.
Once the storm starts and you’re not sure what the road ahead is like, it’s time to turn off the iPod and turn on the radio. Find a local weather report. If you have a passenger, have them check the National Weather Service’s website on their phone (never check your phone while driving, especially in a storm). Now it’s time to make your ultimate decision—stop or keep going?
I’d err on the side of stopping, but I have to because of the nature of my vehicle. If you do stop, make sure it’s in a safe place (not inside any divots or craters that might fill up with snow) and put your hazard lights on. Keep your headlights and taillights on for the first little while as well.
After the Storm Starts
First things first: stay calm. No matter what happens, don’t panic. Waiting out a winter storm is never fun for anyone, but working yourself into a frenzy is a surefire way to make it even worse.
After you’ve stopped and you’ve decided to wait it out, you need to wait it out. Unless you can clearly see that there is actual help nearby, stay inside of your vehicle. Many times, when people try to walk for help in a blizzard, they end up freezing to death. If you’re on a major freeway, people already know there are trapped motorists. Put in some phone calls if you’re still getting reception.
Run the engine when you need a burst of heat. This also gives you the chance to have your lights on for a few minutes. If you know which way the wind is blowing, crack a window on the other side of the car just a little bit (or every once in a while) for fresh air. Do little hand, foot, arm and leg exercises when you can. You need to keep up your circulation.
Excessive sleepiness is a warning sign for hypothermia. If you have more than one person in the car, take turns sleeping to monitor the situation. You can also huddle together for warmth. Your food, water and blankets should come in handy. Put on as many layers as you can in order to trap body heat, even if they’re just coats and shirts you set on top of yourself. If you planned ahead then someone will be coming to get you soon enough. Especially if you’re on the interstate, someone will be mounting a rescue effort as soon as they can. The storm might even blow over enough that you can continue driving without need for rescue services.
Unless you’re tucked safely away in a warm home with a hot cup of coffee, winter storms aren’t fun. For truckers, they’re a necessary fact of lie. We get through them even if we have to put chains on our tires or stop for a little while. Truckers are probably the bravest, safest most dedicated drivers on the road, so take it from one of us—making it there on time isn’t worth your life. Road trips don’t stop just because the winter starts, but it’s always a good idea to take some extra precautions and make weathering those winter storms as pleasant as possible.
Author Bio
Hank Barton is a second generation truck driver and a first generation blogger. When he’s not enjoying the beauty of the open road, he writes about good driving practices, the trucker lifestyle and trucking industry news. Hank writes for E-Gears, an online CDL Practice Test authority that specializes in a variety of study guides
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