The fall season is here! The leaves will start to fall, kids are starting school, temperatures begin to drop, and so on. Just like the season is changing, so will your trucking lifestyle. Here are some tips to keep in mind while you adjust to these seasonal changes.
Leaves falling + rain= slippery roads! Falling leaves along with increased rain and fog are often challenging this time of year. Unfortunately, snow and ice start becoming issues in some areas as well. Piles of wet leaves can make your tires slide and potentially cause an accident. If you see leaves in the road, be on the safe side and slow down. Another thing to be mindful of is more frequent stops due to school buses. More children will be on the streets meaning you should take extra precautions especially around school zones and bus stops. Also, lookout for more children in residential areas as they may be playing in leaf piles! Summer is not the only time kids are out and about.
Another tip to be mindful of is wildlife. During autumn, deer are more active as it is their mating season. And they are a problem to drivers during the dusk or dawn. Look extra carefully for deer crossing signs and keep that in mind when adjusting speed. Hitting a deer is the last thing any trucker wants!
Shorter days along with the daylight saving time change put more motorists on the road at dark. Please adjust your driving habits to accommodate these conditions! Speaking of shorter days, also be prepared for a brighter morning. With the time change, there is more sunlight during the early morning hours. We need to be aware of the change, but just as importantly, we need to understand the challenges of lesser trained drivers who share the road. As the autumn and winter proceed, the sun travels more to the south. Roads that were not an issue in the past become a real problem when the sun is rising in the middle of the road. Less experienced drivers may not think about how this changes visibility on roads they travel frequently. Be prepared! Bring sunglasses on the road, and even sunscreen. Even in the fall, the sun can give you a burn especially when it is at its peak brightness like this. Some people will assume that since it is fall they won’t get burned, which is completely false! Especially for drivers who are spending consecutive hours on the road facing that bright sun. Sunscreen on your arms, hands, and face are still very important for drivers.
Overall, seasonal changes are a big deal for truckers. If you are an experienced truck driver, you probably know what to expect by now, but you can never be too careful. As for new drivers, take notes! There is more to fall than just some leaves changing and temperature drops, think about these tips and how you can incorporate them into your daily trucking routine!