Fall weather can be erratic with temperature fluctuations and conditions often changing by the hour. Preparation is key to safe driving during the Autumn season.

With all of the beauty and festivity that Fall brings each year, this season also comes with its own unique driving risks.  Slippery roads, decreased daylight, fog and sun glare are to be expected. Autumn weather conditions can change quickly.

Here’s how to plan and prepare for all that this season brings to the road.

The Nights are Longer…

As the days get shorter, you will likely be driving in the dark a lot more.

• Keep your headlights clean and in proper working order; dim or misaligned headlights can decrease your visibility. Never drive faster than your headlights can illuminate your way.
• Pedestrians walking, jogging or biking through the streets may be more difficult to see, especially if they are wearing dark clothing.
• School is in session so use caution and be mindful of children walking to and from bus stops in the early morning.
• Seasonal animal behaviors create moving obstacles for drivers, especially at night.  There is increased wildlife activity on the roads with small animals like squirrels busy storing food for winter, and large animals like deer, boar and moose out looking for mates.  Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to wildlife crossing signs.  Slow down in areas wildlife is known to frequent.

 Cold Weather

Cooler temperatures bring frost, ice, and even early snow to the roads

• Fall weather can change rapidly from warm to cold, causing roads to ice. Be on the lookout for black ice and remember to drive slowly and brake gently on bridges and overpasses as these surfaces tend to frost over before others.

• Check your tire pressure daily. Extreme changes may lead to a loss of tire pressure causing your tires to become less stable and lose their grip and traction. 
• Before starting your vehicle, scrape away any frost on your windows and check to see that your defrosters are working properly.

Driving in Fog

With cold autumn mornings often comes fog.

• Driving in foggy weather can be disorienting and dangerous.  When you encounter fog, set your headlights to low even though it may be counter intuitive. Low beams aim down toward the road and improve visibility.   High beams on the other hand, bounce off of fog and reflect back at you, further impairing your ability to see the road.
• Slow down and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you so that you have ample time to stop if necessary.
• If the fog is especially dense and your visibility is severely reduced, it may be better to pull of the road and wait it out.  Pull a safe distance off the road and turn on your hazard lights as other drivers may not see you.  Call your dispatcher, they will help you stay safe.

Glare

Autumn’s sunrises and sunsets can cause a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic lights or the road.

• Be mindful of the time of day. Sun glare tends to be the worst in the early morning and late afternoon. …

• A clean windshield inside and out is a priority. Grime, streaks and smudges can become magnified when the sun hits your windshield making it even more difficult to see. 
• Keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle at all times to help deal with the glare of that strong sunshine.   If you frequently drive at night, consider anti-glare polarized glasses to reduce that blinding sensation from oncoming headlights. 
• Slow down and leave more room.  Your visibility and reaction time will decrease due to glare, so it’s important to give yourself a greater gap to react.

Wet Conditions

Fall often brings increased rainfall, which creates the danger of wet leaves, an experience like driving on ice.

• Large amounts of wet leaves make roads slippery and cover up potholes, road bumps, and ice which can lead to accidents. Slow down in wooded areas after a rain shower to avoid hydroplaning.
• Before starting your car, remove any leaves from your windshield to prevent them from getting stuck under your wiper blades. Also, be sure to replace your windshield wiper blades if they show signs of wear.
• When driving during heavy rain, slow down, especially around turns. Wet conditions increase the time it takes your vehicle to come to a complete stop, so keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid sudden movements with the steering wheel or slamming on the brakes, as this can cause you to hydroplane. If you feel that you are losing control of your vehicle, steer straight and gently release the gas pedal until you feel the tires make contact with the road surface again.

Spring is officially here, and with nicer weather comes more traffic on the roads, new construction projects and busy schedules. With more distractions to deal with, we all need to keep safe driving and safe work front of mind. Even though you know what to do, reminders can be helpful.  We want to be sure you arrive to your destination safely!
 
Here’s what you can do:

Get enough rest.  Plan your day with your hours of service in mind so you’ll be alert when it’s time to drive.  Still, if you feel drowsy, pull over and take a rest and let someone on your team know how you’re feeling. Don’t risk driving while sleepy.

Prevent allergies. If you are prone to seasonal allergies, be sure to always have allergy relief in your cab. There’s nothing worse than constant sneezing during your trip while you’re just trying to focus on the road. Always ensure that whatever kind you get, that it is non-drowsy!

Beware of work zones. Lanes are often moved or redirected during construction; adjust your speed so you can follow the provided signage without endangering yourself, other drivers, or the workers.

Be aware of your blind spots. Small cars can be easily missed. Signal your intention to change lanes or turn well in advance, so that cars have enough opportunity to get out of your blind spot.

Maintain a safe distance from the cars in front of you.  You know that it will take you much longer to stop than an average car.  But does the driver of the car know it?  Defensive driving is a critical skill.

Regularly inspect your brakes. There isn’t always a convenient runaway truck ramp nearby to catch you if your brakes go bad.  Inspect your breaks frequently!

Follow suggested speed limits.  And when you’re in construction zones, remember that the speed limit may be further reduced and the fines for speeding increased.

Avoid aggressive drivers.  When you see a driver whose driving appears to be unsafe, sporadic or aggressive, avoid them or move out of the way whenever possible.  Also, call for the highway patrol to report this driver so they don’t cause injury to anyone on the road.

Thank you for your continued dedication and professionalism.  We appreciate having the best truck drivers in the nation on our team!


. . . and a Lily reminder:  keep Safety First!

March is the time of new beginnings. For many of us in the northern areas, it’s the time we look forward to spring. Daylight savings time starts, which will make for longer daylight hours to enjoy. Just the ability to get out and about in milder weather makes for more enjoyable days.

As we begin this new change of season, it’s probably a good time to review some safety tips before we even begin our daily trips. Becoming a successful and safe truck driver doesn’t end when you obtain your CDL. We should all have an always-learning and “Safety First” mindset to further skills and confidence. Each season brings in a new challenge for truck drivers. Luckily for you, this time around is typically more mild when it comes to seasonal changes! But, we must always stay prepared and refreshed for the roads ahead.

The following Pre-Trip safety tips for truck drivers are great reminders no matter the season or how much experience you’ve had. Please take a moment to review:

5 safety tips before you hit the road

“How can I be a safe truck driver?” It all starts before you even get in the driver’s seat!

1. Take care of yourself.

The most important asset in the truck is you, so do all you can to become a healthy truck driver by eating, exercising and sleeping well. With allergy season coming up, it is a good idea to keep non-drowsy allergy medications in your cab at all times. You never know when you, or your driving partner may need it! It is also a good idea to apply sunscreen. With more hours of daylight, you will be exposed to more sun than before. Your future self will thank you!

2. Plan your route with care.

Make sure you stay up to date on weather, road conditions, traffic patterns, construction, low bridges and regulations that vary by state. These are just a few of the many important to check before you hit the road.

3. Adjust for bad weather.

According to the Department of Transportation, inclement weather is responsible for roughly 21 percent of all vehicle crashes. Check the numerous weather reports available to stay safe. March can be a more rainy time depending on your location. Be sure to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection before you hit the roads, and if you feel the roads are getting too slippery, pull over until the conditions are safer!

4. Get comfortable.

Adjust the steering wheel, seat height and back rest to stay comfortable during long driving periods and get your in-truck device’s navigation ready before you turn the key. Then plan to take breaks every few hours, and get out of your truck to walk around.

5. Hang up.

Put down the phone. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration restricts mobile use while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

. . . Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring and remember to keep safety first while you’re at it!