| On December 21st at precisely 7:42 A.M. EST, | | | | energy bars, etc., and water. |
| the sun's rays will strike one of the two | | | | |
| tropical latitude lines, and thus winter will | | | | - Keep the fuel tanks as full as possible, |
| officially begin for the Northern Hemisphere. | | | | especially before crossing a mountain pass or |
| This will also be the official beginning of | | | | similar object. |
| "winter driving" for the millions of truck | | | | |
| drivers across our country. This is a time | | | | - Allow extra distance between you and the |
| when your driving skills can be put to the | | | | vehicles ahead of you. |
| ultimate test, especially for the over the | | | | |
| road trucker. | | | | - SLOW DOWN. Adjust your speed |
| | | | appropriatley for the road conditions. |
| For the lucky drivers dedicated to running | | | | |
| the southern states, etc., winter will not | | | | - Check the weather forecast ahead of you |
| create too many problems. Those long haulers | | | | BEFORE you head out. |
| running all 48 states and finding themselves | | | | |
| in the northern region, New England states | | | | - Avoid using cruise control. |
| and beyond . . . they know they are in for a | | | | |
| ride! | | | | - PLAN AHEAD. Know where truck stops are |
| | | | ahead of you on your planned trip, so you can |
| For years I ran all 48 states plus parts of | | | | make the appropriate stop should the weather |
| Canada and found myself fighting freezing | | | | turn really bad. |
| rain, ice and snow on many occasions. In the | | | | |
| Midwest, you will do battle with the snow and | | | | - If the times comes where tire chains are |
| ice and the howling winds that can toss your | | | | needed........STOP! |
| rig around like a rag doll. I have seen too | | | | |
| many rigs laid over on their sides or simply | | | | Having the right equipment and supplies can |
| stuck in the wintery conditions, unable to | | | | make the difference between life and death. |
| move. Not only is this a very frustrating | | | | Should you find yourself stranded on the side |
| time, but it can also be a deadly one when we | | | | of the road in -30 degree temperatures, you |
| fail to make the right choices. | | | | will discover that even if the rig keeps |
| | | | running, very little heat, if any, will blow |
| Truck drivers must prepare accordingly for | | | | out! It is very important to carry extra |
| the winter driving period. Here are some | | | | blankets and energy food and water. Keep the |
| winter driving tips that not only will make | | | | rig in tip-top shape and by taking extra |
| this time of year more comfortable, but could | | | | precautions, you can survive a difficult |
| end up saving your life: | | | | situation. |
| | | | |
| - Have your rig "winterized" by a | | | | The best way to prevent being caught in a |
| professional technician. | | | | life and death situation during winter time, |
| | | | is having the right state of mind in making |
| - Carry a few gallons of a fuel treatment | | | | the GO-NO-GO decision. Even if other drivers |
| product to prevent the diesel from gelling. | | | | are heading out in what to you, seems like a |
| | | | bad idea . . . then stick with your |
| - Carry extra blankets........enough to keep | | | | intuition. Make the NO-GO decision to stay |
| you warm in case you get stranded. | | | | put until the weather clears. Make the right |
| | | | decision. The freight can wait. |
| - Carry a supply of "energy food" such as | | | | |