The busy winter holidays have passed, but our Arkansas truck accident attorneys want to share some of the same steps for winter driving safety that truckers suggest for the heavy traffic and shipping days that precede Christmas.
These driving safety tips are even more relevant because recent changes in weather patterns mean that motorists throughout the South are no longer immune to the extreme winter road conditions we may have once associated with other parts of the country.
Here are five winter driving tips suggested by leaders in the American trucking industry. These steps aim to deter the common causes of truck accidents, and help safeguard all drivers.
- Number One: Avoid scary winter road conditions. Ice, hail and snow make for difficult driving. Consider shifting your plans to stay home or use public transportation during a storm.
- Number Two: Get rid of any ice and snow on your vehicle. Don’t take shortcuts when it comes to scraping your windows or brushing/shoveling off any snow or ice accumulation.
- Number Three: Slow down. Inclement weather creates unpredictable road conditions and impacts your vehicle’s response time.
- Number Four: Stay alert. The worse the weather conditions, the more space you should allow between you and other vehicles.
- Number Five: Never cut off a truck or tractor-trailer. These big rigs are heavier than your vehicle and lack the same maneuverability. Trucks take longer to turn and come to a complete stop.
“Winter weather poses many unique challenges to the motoring public and professional truck drivers, and we want to remind everyone that the goal should be to arrive safely,” says professional truck driver Bill West with ABF Freight. “That may mean leaving a few minutes early or being extra cautious when facing difficult road conditions.”
If the worst happens and you need an experienced Arkansas truck accident attorney, please contact the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers online or by telephone for your free case consultation: (888) 220-7068.
