Stay on schedule this winter by planning ahead. Check the weather forecast before you go and periodically along your route to your final destination. Know how to handle winter weather conditions. If you suspect icy conditions ahead, slow down, increase your following distance and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction. Keep these tips in mind:
- Consider your load. If you're empty or hauling a light load (20,000 pounds or less) your stopping distance will increase, while your stability will decrease.
- Be aware of fast-freezing road surfaces like bridges and overpasses.
- If conditions worsen, wait out the weather in a truck stop, parking lot, or rest area. Inform the agent and customer of the delay.
Know your equipment too. Many different factors affect a skid, including speed, road surface, tires, weight and the center of balance of the load, wind speed and direction. The art of handling a skid lies in removing the factor responsible for causing loss of traction. But here's how to react if you do lose control:
- If your trailer is sliding, don't take your foot off the accelerator. Instead, maintain or slightly increase power to keep the trailer in position.
- If the tractor drive wheels are sliding, depress the clutch pedal to cut power to the wheels.
- If the brakes are causing the skid, release the brake pedal, depress the clutch and look for an out.
For more information, please contact:
safety@landstar.com
or 800-872-9496.
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