Tips on Driving Through Spring Storms

As the weather continues to warm up, it’s safe to say that spring is finally here to stay! With spring comes longer days, warmer weather and lots and lots of rain throughout the country. It’s inevitable that truckers will find themselves driving through rain, hail lightning and potentially tornadoes at some point this year. With these storms comes a risk for all drivers. 

At TransWood, the safety of our truck drivers are one of our top priorities. Being a leader in the trucking industry for almost a century, we understand how weather can affect driving. Below, we share some tips to help truckers stay safe while driving through spring storms. 

Always be aware of the weather

No matter where you are in the country, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. One minute it will be sunny and calm, and the next windy and rainy. As a truck driver, it’s your responsibility to always be aware of weather conditions and changes. There are many mobile weather apps available that will help keep you updated to any changes in your area, and even provide you with radar technology. 

Driving in rain

As the saying goes, “spring showers will bring May flowers”, which means all truckers should be prepared to drive during rainy conditions these next few months. Although it may not seem like it, rain can increase danger in truck driving. Here are some tips on how to stay safe while driving through rain:

Take more time to accelerate and decelerate

During a rainstorm, it’s much easier to lose control of your rig. To help prevent this, it’s a good idea to drive at least five miles per hour slower than usual, and make sure you are giving yourself more time when coming to a stop. 

Don’t use cruise control

Another thing to avoid during rainy conditions is cruise control. Driving on cruise control during a rainstorm will put you at a higher risk of hydroplaning. 

Increase your following distance

When the road is wet, it takes longer for a big truck to slow down and stop. Because of this, truck drivers should keep more distance between them and other vehicles to help avoid any accidents. 

Driving in wind

With spring showers comes spring wind. Driving a truck in windy conditions is not only dangerous for the truckers themselves, but others on the road as well. Here are some tips on how to stay safe while driving through high winds. 

Consider your load size

A light load in your trailer will be much easier to blow into other lanes than a fully-loaded trailer. Be sure to know the size of your load and truck to make sure you are staying safe. 

Know your technique

When you realize it’s getting more and more windy, you may need to adjust your driving technique. During windy conditions, be sure to have a firm grip on the steering wheel, reduce your speed and stay aware of other drivers. 

During spring storms, it’s so important that truckers are doing what they can to keep themselves and others safe. Use these tips when driving through rain and wind this spring and summer. 

Since 1929, TransWood has been a leader in the freight transportation industry. To learn more about our company, visit our website today.