As hurricane season gets closer, it’s critical that truck drivers know how to keep safe when driving during severe weather.
Being organized and maintaining knowledge are the keys to safe driving during hurricane season.
In order to prevent truck driving during a hurricane or storm weather, truckers should plan an alternate route (if practical), if there is no other route you should steer clear of deep water and always have an emergency kit in your vehicle with you.
In the event that the weather is too bad for you to travel safely, never be hesitant to call your dispatcher and let someone know you have to pull over and get off the roadway.
Is truck driving during a hurricane safe?
The best thing to do if a hurricane is expected to reach the region you’ll be driving across is to stop, and patiently wait for the hurricane to go away. Truck driving during a hurricane or driving in hazardous conditions is far riskier than driving on clean roads, and hauling anything is not worth risking your life for.
Is truck driving during tropical storm winds safe?
A trailer can overturn in strong winds. Also, dry goods and reefer cargoes are particularly dangerous. Winds from tropical storms frequently accompany heavy rains. Additionally, driving in heavy rain can be quite risky. Make the most of your discretion, but don’t be hesitant to stop, and wait for the severe weather to pass.
What do you do if you’re truck driving during a hurricane?
There are several safety measures you should take to keep yourself and other people as safe as possible if you are forced to travel during a storm. Here are five safety recommendations to help keep you protected in the event of an unforeseen big storm.
Conduct an inspection of the vehicle
It is crucial that you thoroughly examine your truck before leaving if bad weather is predicted along your route. Before you possibly enter a storm, you’ll want the vehicle to be in fine running order with no potential concerns.
Detour when needed
You need to stop and park your vehicle if the wind gusts are too strong. Even if the storm hasn’t hit you yet, you are still susceptible to damaging winds and flooding. A tractor-trailer may topple in the severe wind, and if the trailer has no cargo, you are more vulnerable.
Take a moment to breathe and rest
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules govern how many hours a truck driver may drive and how often they must take breaks. However, it is even more important to be well-rested when driving during severe weather. Be mindful of the state of the roads, and keep an eye out for any indications that you might have to park your vehicle.
Slow down
It is always advised to slow down when operating a big truck on a slick road. Truck driving during a hurricane or tropical cyclone is a particularly dangerous situation. Turns, access ramps, and curves all provide a higher risk in rainy weather and strong winds. In order to get to your intended location safely, slow down.
Pay Attention to the state of the roads
Truck drivers should often check the Department of Transportation (DOT) website for updates on the weather and the state of the roads while they are on the road during a storm. You don’t want to be caught off guard by flooded roadways since storms can quickly shift their direction. Truckers are being put in danger by flooded highways. Many truck drivers believe that their vehicles can easily navigate flooded roadways. Additionally, you could find it simpler to cross flooding in a semi-truck than in a personal automobile due to its height and weight. However, the road underneath the water may include deep holes, trash, and downed power lines.