The old saying that “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds” should apply to the hard working truck drivers of this great nation as well! I know, I know…I can hear it from some of you reading this already. You may be thinking, “What weather can there possibly be in California other than sunshine and the isolated shower here and there?” Boy, how I wish this were true, but I do have to admit, I have it made compared to some of the weather out in other parts of the country. We do have the Grapevine though! Over the years, I myself have played witness to some crazy weather out there as well, from driving on a highway that was a solid sheet of black ice to passing spun-out trucks going up a hill on top of four inches of snow with no way to turn around. Smart planning has allowed me to boast that in eleven years I have only ever had to chain up once…in Donner Pass nonetheless!
Here are some tips to remember when out there in some of this weather this winter:
Rain
- Slow down, below the speed limit, to avoid hydroplaning. Just because you have more tires than an automobile doesn’t mean your tires give you the super-ability to avoid hydroplaning like an automobile!
- Run with you headlights on. This will help to give you maximum visibility.
- Increase your following distance. It takes a long enough time to stop safely on dry pavement, but a lot more to stop on even a mildly wet road.
- Avoid distractions. Talking on the phone, reaching for the CB, adjusting the radio, and even eating and drinking can make you take one hand off of the wheel.
Snow/Ice (all of the above for rain, plus these others)
Keep an eye on the outside temperature. The freezing point of water is thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit, so be careful as you get close to this number and watch for ice.- Keep chains on board and inspect them to make sure they are in good condition (no missing links, rust, etc.)
- Carry extra supplies. You never know when you might get stranded by a freak snowstorm (I would like to mention Donner again!). Extra socks, jackets, and pants for starters.
- Treat your fuel tanks with a good anti-gel product if freezing conditions are imminent.
In either of these conditions, or any weather driving for that matter, speed is deadly! It does not matter whether it is rain, snow, ice, hail, or wind. In any of these conditions, the faster you are going, the more unsafe you are being. I often remember what one guy, who had driven over twenty winter seasons at the time without a single mishap had told me in his wisdom. He told me to ignore the “hotshots” and “CB bullies” out there that were on the radio telling me I was going too slow. By his recollection, they were usually the ones he would see spun out or off in the ditch a few miles up the road after they passed him! As I have progressed throughout the years, I notice what he shared with me is true in many cases and try to follow my own path through the weather. In doing so, I have been able to arrive safely every time! Remember that nothing beats a good trip plan and checking weather ahead of time to avoid it. When it is inevitable to drive through it though, be sure to slow down, think clear, and drive smart!